Mexico Diabetes Drug Market Overview, 2030

The Mexican diabetes drugs market appears promising, owing to the rising prevalence of diabetes, particularly among the elderly and urbanized population. Long-acting insulins and combination therapies, for instance, are in high demand due to their improved efficacy, reduced side effects, and increased convenience. The market should expect more tailored therapies as medication development, personalized medicine, and digital health technologies evolve. According to International Diabetes Federation, around 13.6 million Mexican’s are living with diabetes; this number is projected to increase to 19.9 million by 2050. On a per capita basis, expenditure is estimated to hover around USD 1400 annually per diabetic patient a substantial burden given Mexico's socio-economic diversity and mixed public-private healthcare model. Innovations in the sector, particularly the introduction of once-weekly GLP-1 analogs like semaglutide, are improving patient adherence and treatment outcomes. These therapies have shown a reduction in HbA1c levels and significant weight loss benefits, making them highly sought after. Additionally, biosimilar insulins and digital therapeutics such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), mobile health applications, and AI-powered dosing tools are increasingly adopted, particularly in urban regions. The rise of digital diabetes management has also enabled remote monitoring, which is critical in rural and underserved communities. Mexico’s Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS) oversees the drug approval and monitoring processes. The National Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Overweight, Obesity, and Diabetes will receive 3.2 billion pesos in 2023, up 12% from 2022 (Ministry of Health). Public healthcare coverage has expanded, with 83.5% of Mexicans receiving treatments from INSABI, including diabetes treatment under the ""CAUSES"" program. Rising household earnings, which increased by 9.6% between 2020 and 2023 (INEGI), have expanded access to diabetic drugs.

According to the research report ""Mexico Diabetes Drug Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Mexico Diabetes Drug market was valued at more than USD 2.04 Billion in 2024. The Mexico diabetes drugs market is geographically concentrated in major cities such as Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Tijuana, where well-developed healthcare infrastructure, specialized diabetes care centers, and access to innovative treatments drive market growth. Urban regions experience higher demand for advanced diabetes therapies, while rural areas face challenges in drug accessibility, creating opportunities for telemedicine and e-pharmacies to bridge the gap. For instance, the Ministry of Health’s telemedicine initiatives have enabled thousands of patients in rural areas to access diabetes care remotely, reducing the need for in-person consultations. Oramed announced ORMD-0801 (a new molecule) is being evaluated in two pivotal Phase 3 trials and can be the first oral insulin capsule with the most convenient and safest way to deliver insulin therapy. This drug is expected to be a game-changer in the insulin and oral anti-diabetes drugs markets. Public health campaigns emphasize diabetes awareness, early detection, and treatment compliance. The government’s Universal Health Coverage initiatives aim to provide broader access to essential diabetes medications, especially for low-income populations. Additionally, the expansion of healthcare infrastructure, including new hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies, ensures better distribution of diabetes drugs across urban and rural areas. Investments in digital health solutions, such as telemedicine and remote glucose monitoring, also improve patient access to healthcare services, further boosting the market for diabetes drugs. To protect the people against excessive health expenditures, many countries like Mexico implemented community-based health insurance, national health insurance, and targeted public health insurance. Mexico includes multiple health insurance providers. The Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado [State Employee's Social Security and Social Services Institute, ISSSTE] provides coverage for government employees, and the Instituto Mexico del Seguro Social [Mexico Social Security Institute, IMSS] covers for private-sector employees.

Insulin remains essential in managing both Type 1 and advanced Type 2 diabetes. It is especially prominent in public healthcare systems like IMSS and ISSSTE, which provide it to patients free or at subsidized rates. However, challenges such as regional inequality and cold chain limitations impact rural insulin access. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists such as liraglutide and semaglutide are gaining traction in urban Mexico, particularly among privately insured or higher-income patients. These drugs offer dual benefits blood sugar control and weight loss—which are crucial in a population with rising obesity and cardiovascular risk. Their use is steadily increasing despite their high costs, thanks to growing awareness and improved physician adoption in metropolitan areas like Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. DPP-4 Inhibitors, including sitagliptin and linagliptin, are widely prescribed due to their favorable safety profiles, oral formulation, and minimal risk of hypoglycemia. These drugs are often combined with metformin and are more accessible in both public and private healthcare settings. Their popularity is particularly notable among elderly populations in Mexico, who often suffer from multiple comorbidities. SGLT2 Inhibitors notably empagliflozin and dapagliflozin are seeing a sharp rise in adoption in Mexico due to their proven cardiovascular and renal protective effects. This is critical in a country where complications like diabetic nephropathy and heart failure are common. However, pricing and inclusion in national formularies remain ongoing hurdles. Demand is growing faster in private clinics and specialized diabetes centers. The ‘Others’ category, which includes metformin, sulfonylureas, and fixed-dose combinations, represents the bulk of prescriptions in Mexico. Metformin remains the first-line therapy and is included in all public drug lists, ensuring its wide availability. Sulfonylureas such as glibenclamide are still used in lower-income and rural populations due to affordability, though concerns over hypoglycemia are causing a gradual shift toward safer agents.

Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition typically diagnosed in childhood or adolescence, represents a smaller but critical segment of the market. For these patients, insulin therapy is not optional but essential, making insulin the primary and lifelong treatment. Rapid-acting, long-acting, and basal-bolus insulin regimens are commonly used, with rising demand for analog insulins like glargine and lispro due to their superior control and lower hypoglycemia risk. However, access remains unequal; while urban, insured patients benefit from advanced therapies and glucose monitoring systems, children and young adults in rural regions often face inconsistent insulin supplies and limited diabetes education. Public institutions such as IMSS and Seguro Popular provide insulin and essential care for Type 1 patients, but logistical and systemic issues occasionally hinder timely access, pushing some families toward the private sector despite financial strain. Treatment for Type 2 diabetes in Mexico is more varied and tailored to disease progression, comorbidities, and patient access. Metformin is the most prescribed first-line therapy and is widely available through public healthcare programs. As the disease advances, other drug classes such as sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, and GLP-1 receptor agonists come into play. SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists are increasingly recommended due to their cardiovascular and renal benefits, crucial for Mexican patients who commonly suffer from diabetic complications like nephropathy and heart disease. However, high costs restrict their broader use, particularly in public systems.

Oral antidiabetic drugs such as metformin, sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, and SGLT2 inhibitors are widely prescribed due to their ease of use, affordability, and compatibility with Mexico’s public healthcare infrastructure. Metformin, in particular, is the first-line treatment and is extensively distributed through public health programs like IMSS, ISSSTE, and INSABI. Oral drugs are especially favored in rural and semi-urban areas, where medical infrastructure and patient follow-up are often limited, making daily pill regimens far more practical than injectable alternatives. Subcutaneous administration, primarily involving insulin and GLP-1 receptor agonists, is essential for patients with Type 1 diabetes and advanced Type 2 diabetes. Basal and rapid-acting insulin analogs are gaining market share due to their improved profiles, although traditional human insulin is still prevalent in public institutions due to cost advantages. Subcutaneous GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as liraglutide and semaglutide, are experiencing increased demand, especially among urban and wealthier patients, as they aid both blood sugar management and weight loss—an important consideration in a country where obesity affects over 70% of adults. However, high prices and limited inclusion in public formularies restrict their use to private healthcare settings. Intravenous (IV) administration represents a niche segment in Mexico’s diabetes drug market, typically reserved for emergency settings, such as diabetic ketoacidosis or severe hyperglycemia requiring hospital-based care. IV insulin is used in acute care units, and while it doesn’t contribute significantly to market volume or value, it remains vital in critical care management, especially in tertiary hospitals and diabetes specialty centers across Mexico.

Hospital pharmacies serve as essential nodes within the country’s public and private healthcare systems, especially for patients requiring insulin therapy and emergency diabetic care. Hospital pharmacies are vital for ensuring access to subsidized or free medications under government programs such as Seguro Popular (now replaced by INSABI). These channels are particularly significant for low-income and rural populations who rely on public healthcare institutions for essential diabetes drugs such as insulin and injectable GLP-1 receptor agonists. Hospitals also serve patients with complications like diabetic foot, nephropathy, or cardiovascular disease, making hospital pharmacies crucial in the chronic management of advanced cases. Retail pharmacies dominate the urban landscape and are a primary channel for over-the-counter diabetes medications, oral antidiabetic drugs like metformin, and nutritional supplements. Pharmacy chains such as Farmacias del Ahorro and Farmacias Guadalajara have widespread reach and offer not only medications but also regular glucose testing and counseling services, making them a convenient hub for diabetes management. Retail pharmacies cater to both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic patients, especially the growing middle class that prefers walk-in convenience and branded drug options. These outlets are often the first point of access for patients after diagnosis, and their widespread geographic presence supports adherence to long-term drug regimens. Online pharmacies are emerging as a rapidly growing distribution channel in Mexico’s diabetes drug market, driven by increasing internet penetration, mobile usage, and the post-pandemic shift toward digital healthcare services. Though still in a developmental phase compared to more mature markets, platforms like Prixz and Farmalisto are gaining traction among tech-savvy consumers and chronic disease patients who value the privacy, home delivery, and subscription-based refills they offer.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Diabetic Drug Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Drug Class
• Insulin
• GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
• DPP-4 Inhibitors
• SGLT2 Inhibitors
• Others (metformin, sulfonylureas, and combination therapies)

By Diabetes
• Type-1
• Type-2

By Route of Administration
• Oral
• Subcutaneous
• Intravenous

By Distribution Channel
• Hospital Pharmacies
• Retail pharmacies
• Online Pharmacies Show more