Health regulation on phytomedicines in Mexico. Background, current situation and perspectives for the year 2025

A review of the current regulation on phytomedicines and herbal remedies in Mexico is given, as well as the background that drove health authorities in the country to adopt these regulations and the modifications being considerate for the foreseeable future. At the moment the Mexican government is developing a national pharmaceutical policy with a view to elevating the Mexican standards to international standards and looking for a total convergence with, at least, the sanitary authorities of the continent, In the matter of herbal medicines and remedies, this will allow to regulate their introduction that, by reasons of regulation sanitary local in countries where they are produced, are of inferior quality, lack efficacy evidence and what is more important, data on their safety, which it is a parameter that most of the regulatory agencies not yet considers, specially in the case of herbal remedies, as several countries consider them only nutritional supplements. This new pharmaceutical policy not only will help Mexico to assure the quality the Herbal medicines and remedies that are commercialized in the country, but it also could impel their commercialization to international markets.