Top pharma distributors reject allegations of collusion amidst probe

José Alberto Peña, general director of Marzam, one of the top pharma distributors in Mexico, dismissed the investigation opened by Mexico's competition regulator Cofece into possible “absolute monopolistic practices”, but says it welcomes it as a way to promote transparency within the industry.

Peña said he expects Marzam to close the year with a market share of 17% in the private sector and a 10% increase in company sales.

In Mexico, the private sector represents nearly half of the drug industry; the other half is controlled by the government and are sales made directly to Mexico's public health sector.

“I hope the investigation shoots down any false allegations, and proves that we at Marzam are 100% ethical and transparent,” he said.

Back in April, specialists interviewed by EL UNIVERSAL said that an investigation into the pharma industry in Mexico was necessary in light of the Panama Paper scandal showing collusion between Marzam's top shareholders and Marina Matarazzo, the wife of the owner of Nadro, the country's top pharma distributor.

The specialists said that this type of collusion between the two biggest distributors in the country could lead to price manipulation.