Mexico and the New Pharmaceutical Decree: A Boost to Import Freight and National Logistics

Written by María Gamba

The Federal Government has announced news that promises to change the rules of the game for multiple industries in Mexico, especially for logistics andimport freight: it is a decree that will givepreferential treatment to pharmaceutical companies with plants in Mexicofor the next consolidated purchases of medicines. What does this mean for the country? Much more than it seems.

This new approach not only prioritizes national production, but alsoinvites large international pharmaceutical companies to invest in Mexican territory. And with the arrival of more factories, laboratories, and warehouses, the need for transportation, distribution, and, above all, a robust and efficient logistics network also grows.

Mexico as a pharmaceutical hub: a new era?

According to Eduardo Clark, Undersecretary of Integration and Development of the Ministry of Health, the objective of the decree is to incentivize investment by pharmaceutical companies, recognizing thepotential of Mexico as a leader in the production of medicines. In the words of President Claudia Sheinbaum:"We want companies from India, the United States, Europe, and Latin America to come and produce here".

The equation is clear: if more is produced in Mexico,less finished product is imported, but more raw materials, machinery, supplies, technology, active ingredients, and pharmaceutical components will be required. All this implies a significant increase inimport freight.

How does this affect Mexican logistics?

Logistics is the nervous system of any industrial operation. In the case of the pharmaceutical industry, the supply chain has very specific requirements:temperature control, precise delivery times, absolute traceability, and international regulatory compliance.

With this decree on the horizon, logistics companies in Mexico must prepare for accelerated demand growth, especially in key industrial areas such as Jalisco, State of Mexico, Querétaro, and Nuevo León, where many pharmaceutical companies already operate.

In addition, the construction of new laboratories and warehouses will demand an even more agile and precise transportation infrastructure. It is here thatimport freighttakes center stage: it is not only about bringing products, but about bringing them in specific conditions and with optimized customs processes.

Import freight: more than moving boxes

With the new decree, the need to import specialized equipment, reagents, packaging, high-precision electronic components, and other supplies from different regions of the world will increase. India, Germany, the United States, and Brazil are some of the main current suppliers and, surely, will continue to be.

This makesimport freighta strategic issue. Logistics companies will have to be more than just carriers: they must bekey allies in regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and the integration of logistics processes with pharmaceutical production systems.

An opportunity for logistics innovation

The decree also represents a unique opportunity to modernize logistics in Mexico. Companies that know how to adapt and invest in last-mile solutions, smart tracking, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms will be able to differentiate themselves in a market that demands precision and reliability.

In this context, companies likeControl Terrestreare preparing to play a fundamental role. With its experience in cargo handling, its transportation network, and its human approach, Control Terrestre is ready to accompany the pharmaceutical companies that are beginning to invest and operate in the country, offering tailored logistics solutions,optimization of import freight, and a deep knowledge of the Mexican market.

Benefits for Mexico: employment, research, and sovereignty

Beyond logistics, this decree has important economic and social implications. The creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs is expected, from plant operators to transporters and logistics technicians. It also opens the door tomedical and technological research, by encouraging collaborations between pharmaceutical companies and national research centers.

And perhaps most importantly:it strengthens Mexico's health sovereignty, allowing the country to produce the medicines it needs for local diseases such as dengue, without being totally dependent on foreign suppliers.

This type of action creates a virtuous circle where everyone wins: the government improves access to health, pharmaceutical companies find a strategic place to grow, and the logistics sector has a new window of opportunity to modernize and expand.

Prepare from today: the decree comes into effect in 2026

Although the decree will be applied from 2026, investments must begin as soon as possible. Interested companies will have to demonstrate, with facts, that they are building laboratories, increasing their capacity, or establishing operations in Mexico.

And logistics companies have the opportunity from today to position themselves as strategic partners.Import freight will no longer be just another step in the chain, but a central piece for this industrial transformation to occur successfully.

What should we take into account?

This new decree is a clear sign of where Mexico wants to go: towards a country with greater autonomy, with strengthened national production, with qualified employment, and with a solid and modern pharmaceutical supply chain.

To achieve this, the country will need efficient, resilient, and human logistics. Andimport freightwill be one of the keys to opening that door. Because moving a container is important, butmoving Mexico towards a healthier and more competitive future is even more so.

AtControl Terrestre, we are already prepared for that future. We know that changes are not expected, they are built. And we are here to build it, with you.