General Health Law (Ley General de Salud)

What is the General Health Law (Ley General de Salud) in Mexico? The General Health Law, known in Spanish as Ley General de Salud, is Mexico’s foundational legal framework that governs public health. It was enacted in 1984, and it establishes the constitutional right to health protection. The General Health Law maps out the roles, responsibilities, and relationships between federal and state authorities in delivering health services in Mexico. It also outlines the structure of Mexico’s National Health System and sets out broad obligations regarding health promotion, disease prevention, and access to care, including free medical services and supplies for those without social security. In terms of medical device oversight, the Law grants the Ministry of Health the authority to regulate key health sectors: pharmaceuticals, medical devices, food and beverages, organ transplants, and public health establishments. It enables COFEPRIS to enforce complementary regulations, standards (NOMs), and authorizations for advertising, import/export, and surveillance of health-related products and services, including medical devices.