Mexico and GLP1s
We explore GLP1 medical tourism, supply issues, and adoption of generic GLP1 Receptor Agonists in Mexico.
Most of the time we focus on developments within the US that relate to GLP1 receptor agonists, but it's important to note that rules (prices, regulation, etc) are completely different for different countries.
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As you might expect, use of GLP1s is soaring in other countries as well, with projections for Mexico looking to be quite dramatic:
Again, the graph below is mostly projection (we're not in 2026), but it's illustrative and not completely unbelievable (though there is a wobble in 2020/2021, likely due to the Coronavirus epidemic):
Whether this projection comes to pass or not, companies are starting today to prepare for such a possible future, and the news of increasing sales for Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, and other GLP1s in other countries is a good reason to do so.
What are GLP1 prices like in Mexico?
Bloomberg has a great article on what GLP1 prices are like in Mexico – they're lower. As reported by Andrea Navarro:
I called a handful of Mexican pharmacies carrying Ozempic asking for prices. Costs vary, but the average price tag for a pack of two 0.25mg pens was around 3,870 pesos ($226) while a single 1mg pen will set you back about 5,100 pesos ($300).
To put those prices in context, GLP-1 drugs can cost as much as $1,350 a month in the US. They also require a prescription, which some doctors have been hesitant to give out. Ozempic and drugs in its class are not a short-term fix, but instead intended to be taken for life. In the US, it is also only approved to treat diabetes, while its sister drug Wegovy is approved for obesity. (Wegovy isn’t sold in Mexico.)
While we disagree with some of the assertions here (GLP1 does not have to be taken for life, there's good data on weight gain after stopping), the most important things that we focus on:
- $226/month for Ozempic versus $1000+ for the US
- Wegovy not being available in Mexico
Clearly Ozempic is much cheaper in Mexico than it is in the US, and not purely due to currency differences. Clearly the pricing rules for medications that drive the high prices in the US are not the same in Mexico which turns into a lower price for the supply that is present.
There haven't been many stories of Americans going across the border to secure GLP1, but that doesn't mean it's not happening. That said, with the proliferation of compounders that can offer Semaglutide for cheaper inside the US, it's likely not necessary for most.
That said, some people are turning to neighboring countries for supplies of GLP1s:
Shelby Livingston
In particular the story of Gina is quite eye-opening:
In September, Gina flew to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, bought five Ozempic pens from a Costco pharmacy for about $250 each — no prescription required — and brought them back home.
Being able to purchase Ozempic from a trusted retailer like Costco with no prescription required is quite the departure from the difficulties that are often faced when trying to acquire Ozempic in the US.
Overall, supply is still a problem for Mexico
Mexico is the southern neighbor of the US and engages in a large amount of trade in the US. While thing like medication cannot freely flow across the border, Americans can cross the border, receive treatment, and cross back legally. This is often called "medical tourism".
Getting access to GLP1 medication (and maintaining compliance with international patent law) is still a problem for all countries, and Mexico is no exception.
This is only likely to increase as more people figure out the benefits of GLP1s, and demand increases. While companies are racing to end shortages (and capture the related profit), it will be a while until
The benefits of GLP1s are also not lost on the world, and certainly not on the people of Mexico:
Entrepreneurs
As more research develops and is published leading to more approvals by US governmental bodies like the FDA, the case for GLP1s to treat maladies that plague Mexico and many other countries increases.
Typical to other shortages and supply/demand battles, there is an illicit trade springing up and persisting around fake GLP1 pens, also reported on by Mexico Business News:
Entrepreneurs
This risk is likely not necessary for those in the US that can easily find a local compounder or program that redistributes compounded GLP1s, but for those in Mexico who find even the $200/month price steep, it is a large problem.
A two-year-old Reddit thread showcases the limits of medical tourism, and how difficult it was to actually procure GLP1 medication across the border:
Has anyone travelled to Mexico to purchase Wegovy or Ozempic??
by u/Ok_Mind5008 in WegovyWeightLoss
While many were successful, some faced issues finding the drug (especially Wegovy which is not widely available if at all).
Has Mexico embraced generics to combat supply issues?
One seemingly easy solution to the supply problem is a diversification in formulations of GLP1. Liraglutide (which unfortunately isn't as effective as Semaglutide or Tirzepatide) has recently reached mass production by at least two large pharmaceutical companies which specialize in drug production of generics:
GLP1.Guide Staff
GLP1.Guide Staff
There are reports that some companies in Mexico have started to move towards acquiring generic versions of GLP1s – in particular Liraglutide which recently became OK to produce in large quantities without worrying about patents:
It's not preferable to see exclusive production agreements, but India's pharmaceutical industry is well developed, and they have a certain ability to supply high quality generic drugs at a high quantity:
Under the terms of this agreement, Biocon will undertake the responsibility of obtaining regulatory approval, manufacturing and supply of the drug product, and Medix will be responsible for its commercialization in the Mexican market.
This is good news for people across the Americas, as Mexico has strong trade ties with it's neighbors to the north and the south.
