- During 2021, the IMSS effectively stopped filling more than 22 million prescriptions.
- To end the shortage of medicines within the public sector, Mexico will now have the largest pharmacy in the world.
- The next steps for Cofepris involve obtaining a health license to handle psychotropic and narcotic drugs, as well as cold chambers that guarantee the correct conservation of biological drugs and vaccines.
One of the most frequent complaints in recent years is the constant shortage of medicines within the Mexican public sector. It is a quite serious problem that has even caused mobilizations of parents of children with cancer. To offer a definitive solution, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador proposed creating the largest pharmacy in the world.
According to their proposal, the idea is to have all the medications, even the most specific and difficult to obtain, to take them to any region from Mexico City.
AMLO proposes creating the largest pharmacy in the world: “It will have all the medicines on the planet”
What will be Cofepris’ work with the largest pharmacy in the world?
In this regard, today the Federal Commission for the Protection against Health Risks (Cofepris) shared with various authorities of Birmex, Laboratorios de Biológico y Recambios de México, SA de CV, the regulatory support route for the creation and operation of the National Medicines Warehouse (ANM).
The federal commissioner of Cofepris, Alejandro Svarch Pérez, reaffirmed his support to carry out the presidential project of creating this central warehouse of medical supplies.
“Cofepris will provide timely support to guarantee the medication supply chain that will supply the entire country.”
The regulatory support route aims to monitor the quality, safety and effectiveness of medications that are stored there and consists of a series of actions that involve proactive regulation in projects of high impact for public health and of national interest.
Crisis in the ISSSTE? Doctors march against drug shortages
For example, verification visits, which have recently begun and in which the specialized personnel of this health authority have been informing the Birmex team about the adaptations that are needed in the ANM to guarantee the correct storage of supplies; digital support in the management of operational notices and health responsible, elements necessary for the start of operations with fraction IV, V and VI medications, or commonly called free sale.
The next steps involve obtaining a health license to handle psychotropic medications and narcotics, as well as cold chambers that guarantee the correct conservation of biological drugs and vaccines.
The head of Birmex, Jens Pedro Lohmann Iturburu, shared some considerations about the project with the representatives of Cofepris. He also expressed his gratitude for the support that the regulatory authority will provide to guarantee that, once AMN operations begin, health supplies are safe, effective and of quality for patients.
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AMLO proposes creating the largest pharmacy in the world: “It will have all the medicines on the planet”