MEXICO

On October 18, the Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP, for its acronym in Spanish) announced a new call for tenders for 2020. Two mechanisms will be used, so that generics are tendered publicly, and patented drugs allocated directly. The SHCP is to launch a market research initiative on October 21st to outline the conditions for both mechanisms before publishing the final call for tender on December 3 on the Compranet website, while the drugs with patents contracts will be awarded in late November. 

The SHCP is aiming to achieve “supplies for the country’s health institutes” at the “lowest possible prices” through two complementary purchase mechanisms. The first, for generic drugs, involves a public tender, whereas the second, for patented drugs will be directly allocated after holding working sessions with the pharmaceutical sector. These drugs include oncology and hematology medication.

A market study will be held to establish the bases and conditions prior to the generics bidding process scheduled for October 21st, which will also define whether the bid will be international or not. On November 15 the draft call for tender will be published, subject to amendments concerning improvements and input from other sectors, until December 3, the formal launch date. Finally, the items will be awarded on December 18. The direct award of medicines with patents will be decided earlier at the end of November.