Countries in Latin America are making progress in reducing drug prices. Among the various measures under consideration, two are of particular note: in Mexico, the Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks (Cofepris) regularly releases drug registers and has just released its latest package, expanding the list of innovative medicines in the Mexican market. In Colombia, the National Commission on Drug and Medical Device Prices (CNPMDM) confirmed the proposal of the Ministry of Health to regulate the price and sale of more than 900 drugs. The Mexican measure is already in force, and Cofepris is expected to continue releasing drug registers in the coming months. The Colombian regulation will be in force as of January 1, 2019.  

In the case of Cofepris, on November 29 this organisation published its 12th package of innovative drugs, comprising 34 new health registers. These new health registers come in addition to the records released since 2012, giving a total of 370 innovative medicines in the Mexican market. Within the package, especially noteworthy is the release of eight biotechnological drugs and five drugs for orphan diseases (diseases that affect 1 person per two thousand inhabitants).

As for Colombia, the Ministry of Health reported December 3 that it will regulate the sale of 902 drugs as of January 1, 2019. The Ministry hopes to obtain a 50% reduction in the price of the drugs considered. Drugs with discounts include antihypertensives, antidepressants and contraceptives.