Founded on July 5, 2001, the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) remains one of the most important bodies in the country. From the beginning it was established that it would be a decentralized administrative body of the Ministry of Health (SSa), with technical, administrative and operational autonomy. Its main task is to be the governing body in matters of health control and regulation throughout the country.
Importance of your work
In this way, it is in charge of analyzing and authorizing the operation of all health-related products, devices and establishments. Covers from pharmaceutical laboratories, drugs, pharmacies and clinics of all kinds. In sum, all of them are equivalent to almost 10 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to current calculations, Cofepris regulates 44 cents of each peso that households spend in Mexico. The figure is obtained through three sectors that it regulates: food, beverages and tobacco; health care items; and personal care items.
If you have a medical office, you know that there are regulations on the minimum equipment requirements that it must meet. The most recent update was published on July 9, 2020 and since then the Official Mexican Standard NOM-005-SSA3-2018. In case of not complying with what is mentioned in the document, Cofepris can proceed with four types of sanctions:
- Warning with warning.
- Penalty fee.
- Temporary or definitive closure, which may be partial or total.
- Arrest for up to thirty-six hours.
Millionaire penalties
Now, with respect to the heading of fines, the amounts are quite varied. The final figure depends on the type of crime that has been committed and the type of company in question. When analyzing the records From the Cofepris it is obtained that only during 2020 there were ten cases with millionaire sanctions.
- Buenavista del Cobre. SA de CV – $ 9,689,760.00
- Laboratorios Mayo, SA de CV – $ 3,774,500.00
- Propimex, S. de RL de CV – $ 3,041,640.00
- Novirsa, SA de CV – $ 2,085,120.00
- Arlex De Mexico, SA de CV – $ 2,027,760.00
- Gyneco Roma – $ 1,563,840.00
- Farmacias de Jalisco, SA de CV – $ 1,346,640.00
- Acavapes, SA de CV – $ 1,267,350.00
- Villahermosa Regional Hospital Owned by Petróleos Mexicanos – $ 1,176,355.20
- Punto Pen SA de CV – $ 1,042,560.00
Within the aforementioned list, not all are clinics or hospitals, although all were sanctioned for non-compliance with the General Health Law, its regulations and other applicable provisions.
Having said all the above, the ideal is always to comply with the official provisions and abide by what is indicated by the authorities. In this way you avoid suffering from legal problems that not only affect your finances but also your prestige.