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Mexico Antitrust Authority Fines Oxygen Suppliers Over Exclusive Contracts

By  |  March 19, 2026
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Mexico’s National Antimonopoly Commission has imposed significant financial penalties on major suppliers of medical oxygen after determining that restrictive contract practices limited competition in the healthcare sector.

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    The authority fined Praxair and two companies affiliated with Grupo Infra a combined total of nearly 800 million pesos for including exclusivity clauses in agreements with private hospitals and clinics, according to a statement. These provisions prevented healthcare providers from sourcing oxygen from alternative suppliers, effectively restricting market access for competitors.

    Grupo Infra and Praxair, now known as Linde Gas & Equipment Inc., are among the leading distributors of medical oxygen across several regions in Mexico. Per a statement, the commission found that their contracts not only required exclusivity but also included automatic renewal clauses and penalties for early termination. These conditions applied broadly to both existing and future medical facilities operated by their clients.

    Regulators noted that the practices were in place from at least 2010 through 2023, meaning they remained active during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period when access to medical oxygen was especially critical. According to a statement, these contractual restrictions limited opportunities for other suppliers to enter or expand within the market and prevented healthcare providers from securing more favorable purchasing terms.

    Related: Mexico Takes Action Against Alleged Monopolistic Practices in Medicinal Oxygen Market

    The commission concluded that the conduct had a direct impact on clinics and hospitals in multiple regions, as well as on patients requiring oxygen therapy as part of their treatment. Medical oxygen is considered an essential resource for individuals with respiratory conditions, and its availability and quality are key to ensuring safe and effective care.

    As part of the ruling, Grupo Infra was fined approximately 723 million pesos, while Praxair received a penalty of about 68 million pesos. In addition to the financial sanctions, the companies were ordered to eliminate exclusivity clauses from existing contracts and refrain from including such provisions or automatic renewal terms in future agreements, per a statement.

    The authority also mandated that both companies appoint a compliance officer and an independent auditor to oversee the implementation of corrective measures and ensure adherence to competition laws across their operations.

    According to a statement, the commission emphasized that safeguarding competition in the healthcare sector is a priority, highlighting the importance of ensuring that hospitals and clinics can access essential medicines, such as oxygen, under optimal conditions. The agency added that it will continue monitoring market conditions and participating companies to protect patient welfare.

    Source: Gob