Boehringer Ingelheim Expands Diabetes Care in Mexico

Boehringer Ingelheim is expanding its long-standing collaboration with Clínicas del Azúcar (Sugar Clinics) as part of a strategy to broaden access to diabetes care in Mexico. The company announced a new investment through its Social Engagement Fund that will support the opening of four additional clinics in the country, strengthening a partnership that began more than a decade ago.

The investment is designed to scale an existing care model that focuses on early diagnosis, treatment, and long-term monitoring for patients living with diabetes. Clínicas del Azúcar, founded as a social enterprise, operates 51 clinics in Mexico and recently expanded into Texas. Its model offers diagnostic services, medical consultations, nutrition guidance, and psychological support. Through operational optimization, the organization has reduced the average time required per visit from six months of irregular follow-ups to about 90 minutes, while offering services at lower costs than conventional options.

Boehringer Ingelheim first became involved in 2014, when its Mexico subsidiary provided seed support to help develop the initiative. Over the past 10 years, the partnership has reached 492,550 people and contributed to the prevention of 646,767 complications by improving control of hemoglobin A1c levels. The companies say the latest investment aligns with Boehringer Ingelheim’s global commitment to expand healthcare access to 50 million underserved people by 2030.

Luis Carlos, Director of Corporate Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim Mexico, says that the investment underscores a shared commitment to addressing one of the country’s most pressing health challenges. He adds that the initiative supports the company’s sustainability strategy and its More Health approach, which promotes access, prevention and timely treatment across Latin America.

“Boehringer Ingelheim is focusing on diabetes, with ongoing efforts to commercialize treatments,” says Augusto Muench, Country Managing Director, Boehringer Ingelheim Mexico, to MBN. “Mexico faces significant health challenges as about 70% of individuals over 20 years old grapple with obesity or being overweight, which can lead to serious health issues,” he adds.

The effort takes place against a backdrop of rising demand for diabetes services in Mexico. By 2030, hospital care costs associated with diabetes are expected to reach 6% of Mexico’s GDP. “The coexistence of hypertension and diabetes multiplies the risks of disability, hospitalization, and premature death, worsening quality of life and escalating healthcare costs,” writes María Jesús Salido, CEO, SocialDiabetes, on MBN.

Globally, Mexico ranks seventh in diabetes prevalence, with 14.1 million people affected, according to the International Diabetes Federation’s 2021 report. Between 2006 and 2022, the prevalence of diabetes increased from 14.44% to over 16%, according to David Kershenobich, Mexico’s Minister of Health.

Type 2 diabetes, historically associated with adults, is increasingly diagnosed in children and adolescents, reports MBN.  One in four Mexican children with diabetes has type 2, a condition often tied to obesity, poor diet, and physical inactivity. Experts also cite cultural misconceptions, such as viewing overweight children as healthy, as factors delaying diagnosis and intervention.