Health
From The Report: Mexico 2018
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Steady progress has been made in the expansion and modernisation of Mexico’s health care sector in recent years. Some of these improvements have stemmed from the sector increasingly turning to public-private partnerships, with the private sector playing a larger role in operational management, outsourced services and construction. Major steps have also been taken to support the expansion of the country’s pharmaceutical industry. Although the country is very close to achieving its goal of universal coverage for all citizens, as per its constitutional mandate, some obstacles still remain, such as the gaps in insurance coverage between sectors. In particular, the rise of chronic illnesses and non-communicable diseases, combined with the added needs of the country’s ageing population, appear set to place additional stress the country’s health system, which is still not currently capable of tackling these emerging health issues. The sector will need to balance private and public actors, while at the same time boosting its domestic profile and attracting important international investment in key segments of the industry. This chapter includes an interview with Pablo Escandón Cusi, President, Mexican Health Foundation.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Modern methods: Innovation and investment is boosting the capacity of the health care system as it prepares for an ageing population
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Steady progress has been made in the expansion and modernisation of Mexico’s health care sector in recent years. Some of these improvements have stemmed from the sector increasingly turning to public-private partnerships, with the private sector playing a larger role in operational management, outsourced services and construction. Major steps have also been taken to support the expansion of the country’s pharmaceutical industry. Significantly, the Mexican Institute of Social Security…

Analysis

Powerful partners: The public sector is outsourcing services and logistics, which is helping the state cut costs and improve efficiency
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In 2007 the federal Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad del Bajío in León, Guanajuato, became the country’s first hospital to be opened under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Since then two other major federal PPP hospitals have been opened in Ixtapaluca, Mexico State and Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas. Several state governments have also launched their own PPPs in the sector, for instance, Mexico State has four hospitals that operate under PPP models. In addition, there is…

Analysis

Medicine market: Sector structure requires pharmaceuticals producers to innovate to develop new revenue streams
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The market for medicine in Mexico is dominated by the state, creating a challenging environment for drugs producers. However, space exists within the generics market to capture market share outside of the public sphere. In the more advanced segment of biosimilars, companies are looking to the insurance market to open up new market potential. Growth in the generics market has been uneven. In Mexico normal generics grew at around 6% in 2017, and the rate of expansion is expected to remain…

Analysis

Trials of testing: Reforms aim to facilitate the commercialisation of new drugs
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Stakeholders are seeking to expand the research and development (R&D) potential of the pharmaceutical market. Currently, clinical studies get around 10% of the overall investment portfolio in pharmaceutical companies in Mexico. According to the Mexican Association of Medicine Manufacturers, increasing investment will require the domestic R&D community as a whole to develop better processes and continuity in commercialising ideas. R&D in Mexico is worth around $155bn, but the sector…

Interview

Bill of health: Pablo Escandón Cusi, President, Mexican Health Foundation, on the need for public-private partnerships (PPPs) in health care
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Interview:Pablo Escandón Cusi What are the main issues facing the health care sector, and what solutions are being offered? PABLO ESCANDÓN CUSI: Although still young, Mexico’s population is gradually growing older, which makes improving health care services a priority over the long term. The sector represents 5.8% of GDP, with 2.8% originating from the private sector, highlighting the fundamental role non-government actors play in providing services. Demand for medical services has significantly…