Puerto Morelos Pays Triple for Medications

PUERTO MORELOS, Mexico — The municipal administration of Blanca Merari Tziu Muñoz has acquired 185 medications and 152 items of medical cure materials for a total contract value, including taxes, of 1.75 million pesos. This purchase comes at a time when thousands of residents in the municipality's communities are complaining about a lack of medications, doctors, and a severely weakened healthcare system.

An analysis reveals that the "authorized" prices paid by the municipality are significantly more expensive than those available in local pharmacies. For example, Benzonatate of 100 mg in a 20-capsule package can be purchased for 68 pesos, while the municipality acquired it for 185 pesos. Ambroxol of 300 mg/100 ml is available for up to 49.50 pesos, but the municipality paid 59 pesos for it. A 200-gram package of pleated cotton can be found for 72 pesos, whereas the municipality's purchase price was 185.25 pesos.

Healthcare System Under Strain

The demand for medical attention in rural communities is on the rise due to a shortage of doctors and a lack of medications. Community representatives have indicated that the healthcare sector is currently one of the most neglected.

This newly acquired material is reportedly insufficient to cover the needs and medical emergencies of the dispensaries and health brigades responsible for safeguarding the health of Puerto Morelos residents. The supplies are expected to last from April 16 to December 31, 2025, a period of eight months.

Although communities have health centers, these facilities often lack sufficient medical personnel and medications to attend to their needs. As a result, residents frequently have to pay for their own medications and required materials.

Contract Details

The contract, identified as CPM-RP-LP-ADQ-015-2025, was awarded for the "Acquisition of Medications and Medical Material."

The winning individual was Mario Alberto Cancino Guzmán, representing the company "Servicio Integral Farmalogistico," S.A. de C.V. The company's fiscal address is located in Oaxaca de Juárez.

According to the documentation, the justification for selecting this provider states, "Their proposal is within the budget ceiling and it was the only company registered in the contest that presented a proposal."

The contract was formalized on April 16, 2025, with its validity beginning on the same date and set to conclude on December 31, 2025.