Despite Appeals for Protection From the Sector, Executive Details Procedure for Public Tenders for Medicines through UNOPS
7 octubre 2020

MEXICO

On October 5, the Executive Branch, through the Institute of Health for Well-being (INSABI, for its acronym in Spanish), gave more details about the future purchase of medicines through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The amount to be invested will be approximately USD 4.66 billion. They also explained that 2,380 drug keys will be tendered for patents, generic and single sources as well as healing material. So far it has not been confirmed whether these keys include cancer drugs. Purchases will conclude in November 2020 so that staggered deliveries can be made as from January 2021 within the health system.

INSABI held an open briefing, to present information on the international public tenders for the consolidated purchase of these supplies, as well as the procedures applicable to Sanitary Registries. According to Giussepe Mancinelli, UNOPS Deputy Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, the procurement process will consist of two phases: the first involving the need to meet immediate and short-term needs, for 2021 while the second aims to cover the long term, covering the period 2022-2024.

This happened after pharmaceutical sector companies and associations filed appeals on October 1 before the Judicial Power regarding the application of the amendment to Article 1 of the Procurement Law This measure allows the State to sidestep formal bidding processes in favor of direct purchase agreements with intergovernmental organizations, such as the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). Specifically, this can happen when a market investigation determines that the bidding process is not the preferred method for meeting the need. So far, the Judiciary has not ruled on the issue, but if it rules in favor of the entities, this could lead to the suspension of tendering processes. 

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