Federal and state authorities are investigating the deaths of four people in Hermosillo, Sonora, after receiving intravenous “vitamin serums” at a homeopathic clinic. The Health Secretariat, Cofepris, and Sonora's Attorney General's Office are coordinating probes, including a search of the clinic. A possible fifth case remains unconfirmed.
Mexico's Health Secretariat announced on Saturday that it is probing the deaths of at least four people who received “vitamin serums” at a private homeopathic clinic in Hermosillo, Sonora. The Directorate General of Epidemiology (DGE) and the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) are coordinating with local authorities for lab tests to pinpoint the causes of death.
The identified victims are 38-year-old Catalina Figueroa, who died at the General Specialties Hospital; Jesús Héctor Almeida Flores, his son Sebastián Almeida Cáñez, and Dinora Ontiveros. Relatives said they sought general well-being improvements but suffered severe complications like kidney and liver damage hours later. Ontiveros's serum included homeopathic medicine.
Sonora's Attorney General's Office is investigating four complaints linked to the same doctor. They conducted a search of the clinic, seizing supplies and medications for analysis, and plan tissue studies on victims. The State Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks (Coesprisson) is checking for irregularities.
Rubio Pharma y Asociados S.A. de C.V. distanced itself, stating it does not sell “vitamin serums.” Dr. Alejandro Macías warned on X: “Banalizing intravenous therapy can have fatal consequences. It should be used in situations to safeguard life, not to cure hangovers or administer vitamins to ‘boost energy.’”
Social media reports a possible fifth death, a 25-year-old man, but it is unconfirmed if connected to the same clinic.