July 4th, 2025
1. Pharmaceutical investment announced as part of Plan Mexico
During the morning conference held by President Claudia Sheinbaum and attended by health sector authorities, as well as representatives from four pharmaceutical companies, an investment by the pharmaceutical industry in Mexico was announced, following the unveiling of a growth plan worth more than 5.18 billion pesos with Mexican companies that chose to join Plan Mexico with proposals that the president considered important. The main objective is to strengthen the local pharmaceutical industry and ensure equal conditions between domestic and foreign companies.
Luz Astrea Ocampo Gutiérrez, CEO of Grupo Neolpharma, stressed that Mexico is ready to be a “supply hub,” and also mentioned that due to geopolitical conflicts, some raw materials are unable to reach this region, making it important for Mexico to have the production capacity for these active ingredients to ensure supply, health sufficiency, and the possibility of exporting. The companies that will invest the most in Mexico are: Kener, Genbio, Alpharma BioGenTec, and Neolsym.
Infobae: “México está listo para ser un polo de abasto farmacéutico”, según inversionistas en salud
2. Congress eliminates COFECE and creates the National Antitrust Commission
Congress approved the reform that abolishes the Federal Economic Competition Commission (Cofece) and replaces it with the new National Antitrust Commission (CNA), which will work closely with the as-yet-nonexistent Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, which will absorb the powers of the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT), including authorizations for the radio spectrum, satellite orbits, and concessions. The CNA will be a decentralized, collegial body under the Ministry of Economy, with the aim of strengthening the state’s leadership in economic competition.
The powers of the new body include identifying Preponderant Economic Agents (including those in broadcasting and telecommunications), developing technical guidelines, and having an Investigative Authority separate from the plenary. The reform also regulates procedural aspects, such as verification visits and trials, while reducing thresholds and deadlines for mergers and increasing fines. MORENA Senator Emmanuel Reyes assured that this new structure is designed to comply with Article 21 of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) regarding economic competition policies.
Infobae: Senado dicta la creación de la Comisión Nacional Antimonopolio y la eliminación de la Cofece.
3. Reform package on public safety approved
The Congress of the Union approved new laws on public security and intelligence. The General Law on the National Public Security System establishes coordination between security institutions to share and update information on a daily basis. In addition, it creates the National Information System, which includes key records such as weapons, arrests, crime rates, court orders, protective measures, stolen vehicles, and alternative solutions. It also regulates command and control centers that respond to emergencies and anonymous reports.
For its part, the National Investigation and Intelligence System Law defines the structure, operation, and objectives of the new system, with the aim of strengthening crime prevention and prosecution. A Central Intelligence Platform is created to interconnect the databases of security and justice institutions, and a National Intelligence Council is established as a strategic body. Certification and evaluation standards are established for those who handle sensitive information. In addition, the Undersecretariat of Intelligence and Police Investigation is established within the SSPC to coordinate criminal analysis and technology with other national and international authorities.
Senado de la Republica: Aprueba el Senado expedir la Ley General Sistema Nacional de Seguridad Pública y del Ley del Sistema Nacional de Investigación e Inteligencia.
4. New Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law
The new Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law, which regulates the radio spectrum and telecommunications, was approved, thereby eliminating the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT), whose functions will be assumed by the Digital Transformation and Telecommunications Agency (ATDT) and the newly created Telecommunications Regulatory Commission. It also establishes the basis for regulating public networks, active and passive infrastructure, and orbital resources. In addition, concessionaires must provide security authorities with real-time geolocation and record communications with data such as name, address, and type of communication.
In terms of advertising, the transmission of political or ideological propaganda on radio and television is prohibited, except for tourist, cultural, or sports content, and advertising on digital platforms is limited. Specific times are also set for advertising in traditional media, with special restrictions for content aimed at children. The Regulatory Commission will also be responsible for supervising the use of the spectrum, satellite services, and telecommunications in general. With the disappearance of the IFT and COFECE, their power to file constitutional disputes is also eliminated.
Milenio: Diputados aprueban Ley de Telecomunicaciones; crean Agencia Digital y extinguen IFT
5. Hugo López-Gatell will be Mexico’s new representative to the WHO
President Claudia Sheinbaum appointed former Deputy Health Minister Hugo López-Gatell, who was in charge of leading the country’s efforts in the fight against COVID-19, as Mexico’s representative to the World Health Organization (WHO). Sheinbaum said she was proud of this appointment and clarified that it does not require Senate approval, so the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already issued a statement informing that the former undersecretary will join Mexico’s Permanent Mission to the UN and international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland.
In response, the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexico expressed its rejection of the appointment, which it described as a “lack of respect” for the number of deaths during the pandemic, where he played a major role in the management. In addition, they pointed out that the appointment sends an alarming message about the Mexican state’s lack of commitment to international public health standards and the victims’ right to the truth.
Milenio: Sheinbaum confirma que López-Gatell será representante de México ante la OMS: “yo lo propuse”