In August 2025 the Health Routes program started. This is a drug distribution strategy operated by the government. Aboard vans and mainly run by IMSS Bienestar, each month a kit is delivered with the most in-demand supplies to public hospitals in the 23 states that are members of this institution.
With this strategy, the government seeks not to depend completely on private distributors, whom it has reported for failing to meet delivery dates. It is also committed to bringing medicines to the most remote communities.
In the first four months of operation, the Health Routes delivered 115 million pieces of medicine. The Megapharmacy, on the other hand, filled 1,155 orders for medications in the first six months of operation, according to data from López Obrador’s Sixth Government Report.
Now, President Sheinbaum plans to use the Megapharmacy as a warehouse shared with the IMSS, where Social Security can keep its supplies.
Complete Prescription and Wellness Pharmacies
Another function of the Megapharmacy was to operate a call center. Patients called to file complaints about a shortage of medicines and, in theory, the Megapharmacy should resolve the shortage by sending supplies to the person’s hospital.
However, the IMSS launched its own platform to receive these complaints, called Complete Recipe. Both Social Security, IMSS Bienestar and ISSSTE patients can report the shortage of supplies on that website to obtain a response.
Additionally, the federal government began in December the Wellness Pharmacies program. They will be modules in clinics and Wellness Stores where older adults can receive medications, especially those prescribed for the control of diabetes and hypertension.
With all these measures, the Wellbeing Megapharmacy and Birmex, the former president’s main bets against the shortage of medicines, take a backseat.
