Mexico’s pharmaceutical manufacturers are urging legislators to prioritize strengthening regional production and regulatory cooperation in the USMCA review. During the Senate’s Sectoral Diagnostic Forums, held on Nov. 20, the National Association of Drug Manufacturers (ANAFAM) outlined the industry’s priorities as Mexico prepares for the 2026 review of the trade agreement.
Ricardo Del Olmo, Executive Director, ANAFAM, emphasizes that the sector sees an opportunity to expand North America’s manufacturing base by aligning tariff structures with third countries, reports El Economista. In a communication to the US Trade Representative, the association proposed differentiated tariffs and preferential treatment to encourage investment relocation to the region. The group argues that tariff alignment would support the development of a more integrated pharmaceutical supply chain across North America.
The association also recommends a thorough review of rules of origin to ensure that tariff-free access is linked to production that meets the region’s supply and manufacturing objectives. ANAFAM highlights the need to stimulate local production of starting materials and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and to prevent the transshipment of inputs from outside the region, a concern tied to long-term supply security.
The Latin American market represents 7% of global API consumption, which, combined with the US market, offers Mexico a significant opportunity. Experts suggest that continuing to learn from multiple industries and collaborating with the country’s scientific, academic, and professional base will be key to scaling in this sector.
“Mexico now has a significant opportunity within the USMCA framework to reimagine its pharmaceutical industry, allowing it to participate more actively in regional production and eventual export of finished medicines,” says Martin Toscano, President, CAMEXA, to MBN.
According to ANAFAM, the pharmaceutical industry has increasingly viewed the USMCA as a framework that signals North America’s intent to build a more self-sufficient and competitive manufacturing platform. The association stressed that reducing dependence on external sources for both active ingredients and technology remains essential for strengthening Mexico’s health sector.
The Senate launched the Sectoral Diagnostic Forums to gather perspectives from industry leaders, manufacturers, and producers across multiple sectors. The goal is to define a national position for the upcoming USMCA review, establish negotiation parameters, and outline potential solutions for industries that face structural challenges. While the forums will cover sectors ranging from pharmaceuticals to metallurgy, the discussions are expected to feed into Mexico’s broader strategy for reinforcing its regional competitiveness.
“The current Mexican administration has positioned the pharmaceutical sector as a fundamental pillar of Plan México, which we greatly appreciate, especially after the sector was unfortunately stigmatized during the past administration,” says Toscano.
ANAFAM maintains that strengthening domestic innovation, research capacity, and advanced technologies will be key to improving Mexico’s long-term resilience in the pharmaceutical market.