MEXICO

On November 30, the Senate approved without modifications, with 81 votes in favor, 10 against and 1 abstention, the initiative that modifies the General Health Law to penalize the theft of medicines, vaccines and essential supplies for the protection of the health of the population. The text will be sent to the Chamber of Deputies to continue with its legislative treatment.

During its debate, sectors of the opposition stated that the stiffening of penalties does not guarantee that the crimes for theft of medicines will be reduced. On the other hand, the ruling party celebrated the measure stating that it is necessary to move forward with a stronger system to control “pilferage and massive thefts” of medicines and vaccines, beyond the current pandemic context.

The initiative establishes that whoever misappropriates vaccines or medicines that are of essential use in emergency sanitary situations foreseen in article 181 of the General Health Law, will be subject to a prison sentence of 3 to 10 years, in addition to possible pecuniary sanctions. It also establishes as an aggravating circumstance to these crimes the fact of being a public official, in which case the prison sentence will be from 5 to 15 years.