Regulatory Framework · 2.2 Access to Controlled Medicines

Partial compliance.

Mexico has a relevant federal legal framework for controlling prescriptions of scheduled substances. The General Health Law and the Health Supplies Regulation establish special requirements for prescribing, authorization, dispensing, and documentary control of medicines subject to sanitary oversight. In addition, COFEPRIS documents an electronic prescription-pad system for Schedule I medicines, with issuance, validation, and control mechanisms aimed at reducing forgery, double dispensing, and diversion.

However, the available evidence shows that the identified system has limited scope and does not amount to a comprehensive national prescription monitoring program for all controlled substances. It does not demonstrate full national interoperability, systematic clinical auditing, public monitoring of prescribing patterns, complete dispensing traceability, or verifiable enforcement results by federal entity. INCB and UNODC sources provide benchmarks and context for lawful control systems, but they do not replace granular domestic evidence.

At the subnational level, probatory gaps remain in Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. Therefore, Mexico demonstrates relevant legal and operational progress, but not full and homogeneous implementation under RC2 criteria.