On December 29, the Mexican government inaugurated the world’s largest national pharmaceutical distribution center, which connects to the entire network of hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country. This center aims to deliver medical products completely free of charge to patients within a maximum of 48 hours, regardless of their location throughout the territory.
Providing free pharmaceuticals ensures the healthy development of future generations. (Illustrative image: TTXVN).
According to reporters in Mexico, during the inauguration of the project named “National Pharmaceutical Mega Warehouse for the Health of the People”, which spans 50 hectares in the central city of Huehuetoca, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador emphasized that this is a historic moment. From now on, every Mexican citizen will receive free medications as quickly as possible.
Confirming that this project will make Mexico the first and only country in the world capable of providing medications completely free and promptly to all citizens, President Obrador stated that the establishment of “National Pharmaceutical Mega Warehouse for the Health of the People” reflects Mexico’s superior social welfare policy aimed at ensuring no citizen falls into a state of lacking necessary medications. Just like food and drinking water, medications are among the essential items that cannot be overlooked. Therefore, providing free pharmaceuticals not only secures the current health of the population but also ensures the healthy development of future generations.
Regarding the types of medications provided, Mexico’s Minister of Health, Jorge Alcocer, stated that in 2024, the government will allocate 219 billion pesos (approximately $13.6 billion) to purchase 1,806 different types of medications, many of which will be imported from countries with renowned pharmaceutical industries such as the United States, Germany, and France. According to Alcocer, most logistical operations at the national pharmaceutical distribution center will be handled by the Mexican Biochemical Laboratory (Birmex), a governmental agency. The transportation of medications to the center and distribution to patients will be carried out by the Mexican Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA) to ensure timeliness and security.
The national pharmaceutical distribution center is located in Huehuetoca, approximately 60 kilometers north of Mexico City. The center is situated near several major airports and close to vital roadways that connect directly to many regions across the country, facilitating more convenient, rapid, and easy transportation of medications. The Mexican Ministry of Health indicated that to receive medications according to their needs, citizens must have a doctor’s prescription and call the national pharmaceutical distribution center’s hotline to order medications. The delivery of medications to patients will be completed within a maximum of 48 hours once the center confirms the information with the healthcare facility where the patient has been treated.
Mexico implements a policy of free healthcare for citizens at many public hospitals and healthcare facilities, including for those without health insurance. Currently, this nation of 130 million people has 4,500 hospitals, with 33% being public hospitals and 67% privately owned and operated hospitals.
