Mexico is dealing with a severe shortage of fentanyl for medical use while illicit production by cartels continues to be smuggled into the US. The National Commission on Mental Health and Addictions in Mexico reported a significant drop in imports of fentanyl for medical purposes, despite Mexican cartels increasing their production and smuggling activities. The country is facing shortages of fentanyl, a synthetic drug used for anesthesia in hospitals, which has led to dangerous consequences for patients and health care providers.
The report highlighted a global issue related to the shortage of fentanyl in Mexico, as well as an increase in seizures of illicit fentanyl by Mexican authorities between 2020 and 2023. Addiction to illicit fentanyl has also been on the rise in areas near the US border, with requests for addiction treatment in Mexico skyrocketing nearly 500% over the last three years. The excessive use of opioids in the US has had a significant impact on consumption and supply in Mexico, according to the report.
The lack of available medical fentanyl has forced anesthesiologists in Mexico to acquire the drug on their own and conserve supplies, leading to deadly consequences in some cases. Contaminated anesthetics caused a meningitis outbreak in Durango in 2022, resulting in the deaths of about three dozen people, many of whom were pregnant women. Several Americans also died due to a similar outbreak after undergoing surgery in Matamoros. Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has proposed banning fentanyl altogether, including for medical purposes, but faced backlash from doctors and backtracked on the decision.
Despite evidence showing that Mexican cartels produce fentanyl by importing chemicals from Asia and manufacturing it themselves, Obrador has denied these claims. The US Department of State’s International Narcotics Control Strategy Report found that a large percentage of fentanyl seized by US authorities originated in Mexico. Obrador’s contradictory responses to the issue have highlighted the challenges faced by Mexico in addressing the overproduction of illicit fentanyl while also grappling with shortages for medical use.
The shortage of fentanyl for medical purposes in Mexico has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of patients who rely on the drug for anesthesia during medical procedures. The Mexican government has limited options for citizens seeking help for addiction, despite the rising number of cases and the impact of opioid consumption in the US on Mexico. The report emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies to address the fentanyl crisis in Mexico and prevent further harm to individuals and communities affected by addiction and drug trafficking.
