Claudia Sheinbaum Unveils Strategic Plan to Boost Pharmaceutical Production in Mexico

by | Jun 1, 2025 | FDI Latin America

A presidential decree, designated for publication in the Official Journal of the Federation, will enable the government to grant preferential treatment to pharmaceutical firms that set up production facilities within the country. The “Mexico Plan” initiative will transform the pharmaceutical industry landscape and draw essential foreign investments from around the world.

Leveraging Government Procurement to Stimulate Industrial Growth

The strategy centers around the massive buying power of the Mexican government. The Mexican government spends over 300 billion pesos every two years through public procurement contracts, with a large portion of these funds designated for health services. The government decree specifies that pharmaceutical firms operating manufacturing facilities in Mexico will gain competitive benefits in government contract bids for the years 2027 and 2028, starting from 2026.

Only pharmaceutical companies that fulfill strict quality assurance requirements and provide affordable medicines will receive preferential treatment. The measure seeks to motivate firms from India, the United States, Europe, and Latin America to move or increase their manufacturing operations, ultimately strengthening pharmaceutical production in Mexico.

Economic Development Poles for Wellbeing (PODECOBI) Represents a Fresh Industrial Framework

The pharmaceutical initiative will become a key part of the government’s regional development program, Economic Development Poles for Wellbeing (PODECOBI), which aims to reduce inequality and promote local economic development. Investors and manufacturers will receive logistical and infrastructural assistance in these areas, which serve as ideal locations for new pharmaceutical facilities.

The government targets strategic regions for pharmaceutical development to achieve balanced national growth and create skilled jobs while supporting related industries such as packaging, logistics, and medical device production. This strategic approach will further drive pharmaceutical output in Mexico by decentralizing growth and stimulating regional economies.

A Rebirth for Laboratorios Birmex

The revitalization strategy assigns a key position to Laboratorios Birmex, which used to be an important public pharmaceutical company. Following a period of diminished operations, Birmex stands ready to restore its production capabilities and become an integral element of the country’s drug production sector. The company’s return to operations will help bolster pharmaceutical production in Mexico for vaccines, generic drugs, and vital medical treatments.

Deputy Secretary Eduardo Clark states that Birmex will work in partnership with private sector entities and government organizations to facilitate technology transfer and ensure regulatory compliance while optimizing supply chain operations.

Creating a Fertile Environment for Pharmaceutical Investment

The government plans to create a Commission for the Promotion of Pharmaceutical Investment to promote sector investments. The designated body will coordinate federal institutions and stakeholders to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles and streamline investment processes while supporting the development of new manufacturing plants.

The Commission will collaborate with regulatory bodies, including Cofepris and IMPI to speed up medicine and medical device registration while enhancing intellectual property safeguards and advancing clinical trials and biotechnological research. This environment is meant to nurture pharmaceutical production in Mexico by making it more appealing to global investors.

Coordinated activities between different stakeholders are essential for developing a business-friendly ecosystem that shows international companies Mexico’s dedication to taking an important position in the global pharmaceutical supply network.

The Development of Bio-Incubators Alongside Clinical Research Represents an Innovative Strategic Vision

The strategy includes establishing bio-incubators and research centers that focus on pharmaceutical development and medical innovation. The incubators will function as shared workspaces where startups, multinational companies, and academic institutions can work together to undertake clinical research and develop new drug therapies while exploring advanced biotechnology.

Through its investment in scientific research and innovative practices, the Mexican government plans to expand pharmaceutical production in the country while simultaneously improving the quality and development level of domestic medical products.

The collaboration of public and private sectors through joint ventures will support the development of clinical trial and laboratory research capabilities to establish the country as a dependable location for international pharmaceutical development and regulatory testing.

International Appeal: A Hub for Global Manufacturers

Mexico stands out as a prime destination for foreign manufacturers due to its strategic geographic location near the U.S. market and solid trade agreements, such as the USMCA, combined with its strong pool of skilled workers. Pharmaceutical production in Mexico remains an underutilized resource that has yet to reach its full potential.

The recent decree from President Sheinbaum should shift advantages toward the government. International pharmaceutical companies expanding into Mexico will achieve better access to government contracts while benefiting from reduced production costs and experiencing fewer regulatory delays.

Mexican operations offer Indian generics manufacturers a strategic hub for reaching Latin American and North American markets, given their status as global leaders in low-cost pharmaceuticals. European and American businesses aiming to reduce their Asian supply chain risks might recognize this as a chance to implement nearshoring strategies, further enhancing pharmaceutical production in Mexico.

Ensuring National Supply and Strategic Autonomy

The plan’s main goal is to decrease Mexico’s reliance on imported medicines. The Mexican government can enhance the stability and security of national medical supplies by increasing pharmaceutical production in Mexico, which remains an urgent priority following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nations that maintained robust pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities could address medical emergencies during the global crisis more swiftly and autonomously. The new Mexican policy serves as a direct reaction to earlier experiences and seeks to ensure a dependable national supply of essential medicines and treatments for years to come.

Challenges Ahead: Infrastructure, Workforce, and Coordination

The plan shows great ambition and organization, yet presents several difficult obstacles. The development or enlargement of pharmaceutical facilities requires heavy initial financial outlays for cleanroom facilities, together with cold chain management and specialized technical personnel. Mexico must prepare its vocational and higher education institutions to generate trained professionals who can handle pharmaceutical manufacturing complexities and support long-term pharmaceutical production in Mexico.

The coordination between agencies requires both agility and transparency to function effectively. Investor trust could be damaged by delayed regulatory approvals, communication breakdowns, or changing political priorities. To maintain progress, the new Commission requires immediate, decisive action.

Mexico Embarks on a Transformative Phase in Pharmaceutical Production

The decree issued by President Claudia Sheinbaum signifies a turning point for pharmaceutical production in Mexico. The administration creates a foundation for future growth and health security by integrating public procurement policies with industrial development objectives.

A comprehensive strategy encompassing investment promotion, infrastructure development, research incentives, and regulatory reform has established Mexico as a manufacturing hub and a rising global leader in pharmaceutical science innovation.

The Mexico Plan could transform pharmaceutical production in Mexico and throughout the Americas, while establishing the country as a key player in worldwide health supply chains if it achieves successful implementation. Mexico’s pharmaceutical sector stands on the brink of becoming an exemplary model for other nations because of its renewed dedication to excellence, affordability, and sustainability.

Conclusion

The announcement of this forward-thinking initiative sends a clear message to the global pharmaceutical industry: pharmaceutical production in Mexico is open for business and prepared to grow. With political determination, strategic coordination, and international partnerships, Mexico’s pharmaceutical production stands ready for swift growth and enduring achievement.

The proactive approach Mexico is taking toward pharmaceutical development can serve as a model for nations that want to create resilient and fair systems while promoting innovation.

A presidential decree, designated for publication in the Official Journal of the Federation, will enable the government to grant preferential treatment to pharmaceutical firms that set up production facilities within the country. The “Mexico Plan” initiative will transform the pharmaceutical industry landscape and draw essential foreign investments from around the world.

Leveraging Government Procurement to Stimulate Industrial Growth

The strategy centers around the massive buying power of the Mexican government. The Mexican government spends over 300 billion pesos every two years through public procurement contracts, with a large portion of these funds designated for health services. The government decree specifies that pharmaceutical firms operating manufacturing facilities in Mexico will gain competitive benefits in government contract bids for the years 2027 and 2028, starting from 2026.

Only pharmaceutical companies that fulfill strict quality assurance requirements and provide affordable medicines will receive preferential treatment. The measure seeks to motivate firms from India, the United States, Europe, and Latin America to move or increase their manufacturing operations, ultimately strengthening pharmaceutical production in Mexico.

Economic Development Poles for Wellbeing (PODECOBI) Represents a Fresh Industrial Framework

The pharmaceutical initiative will become a key part of the government’s regional development program, Economic Development Poles for Wellbeing (PODECOBI), which aims to reduce inequality and promote local economic development. Investors and manufacturers will receive logistical and infrastructural assistance in these areas, which serve as ideal locations for new pharmaceutical facilities.

The government targets strategic regions for pharmaceutical development to achieve balanced national growth and create skilled jobs while supporting related industries such as packaging, logistics, and medical device production. This strategic approach will further drive pharmaceutical output in Mexico by decentralizing growth and stimulating regional economies.

A Rebirth for Laboratorios Birmex

The revitalization strategy assigns a key position to Laboratorios Birmex, which used to be an important public pharmaceutical company. Following a period of diminished operations, Birmex stands ready to restore its production capabilities and become an integral element of the country’s drug production sector. The company’s return to operations will help bolster pharmaceutical production in Mexico for vaccines, generic drugs, and vital medical treatments.

Deputy Secretary Eduardo Clark states that Birmex will work in partnership with private sector entities and government organizations to facilitate technology transfer and ensure regulatory compliance while optimizing supply chain operations.

Creating a Fertile Environment for Pharmaceutical Investment

The government plans to create a Commission for the Promotion of Pharmaceutical Investment to promote sector investments. The designated body will coordinate federal institutions and stakeholders to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles and streamline investment processes while supporting the development of new manufacturing plants.

The Commission will collaborate with regulatory bodies, including Cofepris and IMPI to speed up medicine and medical device registration while enhancing intellectual property safeguards and advancing clinical trials and biotechnological research. This environment is meant to nurture pharmaceutical production in Mexico by making it more appealing to global investors.

Coordinated activities between different stakeholders are essential for developing a business-friendly ecosystem that shows international companies Mexico’s dedication to taking an important position in the global pharmaceutical supply network.

The Development of Bio-Incubators Alongside Clinical Research Represents an Innovative Strategic Vision

The strategy includes establishing bio-incubators and research centers that focus on pharmaceutical development and medical innovation. The incubators will function as shared workspaces where startups, multinational companies, and academic institutions can work together to undertake clinical research and develop new drug therapies while exploring advanced biotechnology.

Through its investment in scientific research and innovative practices, the Mexican government plans to expand pharmaceutical production in the country while simultaneously improving the quality and development level of domestic medical products.

The collaboration of public and private sectors through joint ventures will support the development of clinical trial and laboratory research capabilities to establish the country as a dependable location for international pharmaceutical development and regulatory testing.

International Appeal: A Hub for Global Manufacturers

Mexico stands out as a prime destination for foreign manufacturers due to its strategic geographic location near the U.S. market and solid trade agreements, such as the USMCA, combined with its strong pool of skilled workers. Pharmaceutical production in Mexico remains an underutilized resource that has yet to reach its full potential.

The recent decree from President Sheinbaum should shift advantages toward the government. International pharmaceutical companies expanding into Mexico will achieve better access to government contracts while benefiting from reduced production costs and experiencing fewer regulatory delays.

Mexican operations offer Indian generics manufacturers a strategic hub for reaching Latin American and North American markets, given their status as global leaders in low-cost pharmaceuticals. European and American businesses aiming to reduce their Asian supply chain risks might recognize this as a chance to implement nearshoring strategies, further enhancing pharmaceutical production in Mexico.

Ensuring National Supply and Strategic Autonomy

The plan’s main goal is to decrease Mexico’s reliance on imported medicines. The Mexican government can enhance the stability and security of national medical supplies by increasing pharmaceutical production in Mexico, which remains an urgent priority following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nations that maintained robust pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities could address medical emergencies during the global crisis more swiftly and autonomously. The new Mexican policy serves as a direct reaction to earlier experiences and seeks to ensure a dependable national supply of essential medicines and treatments for years to come.

Challenges Ahead: Infrastructure, Workforce, and Coordination

The plan shows great ambition and organization, yet presents several difficult obstacles. The development or enlargement of pharmaceutical facilities requires heavy initial financial outlays for cleanroom facilities, together with cold chain management and specialized technical personnel. Mexico must prepare its vocational and higher education institutions to generate trained professionals who can handle pharmaceutical manufacturing complexities and support long-term pharmaceutical production in Mexico.

The coordination between agencies requires both agility and transparency to function effectively. Investor trust could be damaged by delayed regulatory approvals, communication breakdowns, or changing political priorities. To maintain progress, the new Commission requires immediate, decisive action.

Mexico Embarks on a Transformative Phase in Pharmaceutical Production

The decree issued by President Claudia Sheinbaum signifies a turning point for pharmaceutical production in Mexico. The administration creates a foundation for future growth and health security by integrating public procurement policies with industrial development objectives.

A comprehensive strategy encompassing investment promotion, infrastructure development, research incentives, and regulatory reform has established Mexico as a manufacturing hub and a rising global leader in pharmaceutical science innovation.

The Mexico Plan could transform pharmaceutical production in Mexico and throughout the Americas, while establishing the country as a key player in worldwide health supply chains if it achieves successful implementation. Mexico’s pharmaceutical sector stands on the brink of becoming an exemplary model for other nations because of its renewed dedication to excellence, affordability, and sustainability.

Conclusion

The announcement of this forward-thinking initiative sends a clear message to the global pharmaceutical industry: pharmaceutical production in Mexico is open for business and prepared to grow. With political determination, strategic coordination, and international partnerships, Mexico’s pharmaceutical production stands ready for swift growth and enduring achievement.

The proactive approach Mexico is taking toward pharmaceutical development can serve as a model for nations that want to create resilient and fair systems while promoting innovation.