On 18 January 2024, the National Assembly (AN-Panamanian Parliament) approved in the third debate Bill 1007, which regulates medicines, supplies, devices, and other products for human health, their public acquisition, and other provisions were enacted.
This law was approved with 45 votes in favour and one abstention. With this, Panama adopts modern legislation on medicines with parliamentary support. The law updates the regulatory framework to ensure the quality, safety, and effectiveness of medicines.
The new Medicines Law, outlined in Bill 1007, aims to reduce the prices of medications by 20% to 30%, representing one of the largest investments in health.
Health Minister Luis Francisco Sucre stated that the new law will provide greater opportunities to lower drug prices for both the Ministry of Health of Panama (MINSA) and the Social Security Fund (CSS). This is because they will be able to make joint purchases, allowing them to acquire larger quantities of medications and supplies at a more economical price for both entities.
The regulation stipulates that pharmaceutical establishments will be required to update the prices of their products included in the Basic Medications Basket on the open digital platform for these items. Additionally, the Ministry of Health may review and update them as necessary.
Furthermore, in Panama, the legal regulations advocate addressing medication shortages through the implementation of the National Medication Supply Guarantee Plan.
The National Drug Observatory is also established, which will be responsible for publishing reference prices for medicines in national or international procurement processes, following the example of countries with high-standard regulatory authorities and international reference organizations.
Another relevant aspect that promotes access to healthcare products in the Panamanian territory is streamlining the analysis processes, and in response to increased demand, a network of supporting laboratories is created.
In Bill 1007, Article 8 of Law 24 of 1963 was amended, which establishes the National College of Pharmacists and regulates pharmaceutical establishments. The amendment aims to eliminate legal barriers that restrict the participation of additional providers in the national market, thereby promoting free competition and greater market participation.
Panama is one of the Latin American countries that has regulations for the approval of biosimilars [1].
Related articles
Differences in clinical studies and pharmacovigilance of biological drugs in Latin America
Regulation of the registration of biological drugs in Latin America
|
LATIN AMERICAN FORUM
The new section of the ‘Latin American Forum’ on GaBI has been launched. The objective of this new section is to provide you with all the latest news and updates on developments of generic and biosimilar medicines in Latin America in Spanish. View the latest headline article: El recorrido del biológico de continuación Pectuna (pertuzumab) en Irán Browse the news in the Latin American Forum! Register to receive the GaBI Latin American Forum newsletter. Inform colleagues and friends of this new initiative.
FORO LATINOAMERICANO
Se ha lanzado la nueva sección del ‘Foro Latinoamericano’ sobre GaBI. El objetivo de esta nueva sección es brindarle las últimas noticias y actualizaciones sobre desarrollos de medicamentos genéricos y biosimilares en América Latina en español. Ver el último artículo de cabecera: El recorrido del biológico de continuación Pectuna (pertuzumab) en Irán !Explore las noticias en el Foro Latinoamericano! Regístrese para recibir el boletín informativo GaBI Foro Latinoamericano. Informe a colegas y amigos sobre esta nueva iniciativa.
|
Reference
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Regulations of the registration of biosimilars in Latin America [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2024 Feb 29]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/research/regulations-of-the-registration-of-biosimilars-in-latin-america
Permission granted to reproduce for personal and non-commercial use only. All other reproduction, copy or reprinting of all or part of any ‘Content’ found on this website is strictly prohibited without the prior consent of the publisher. Contact the publisher to obtain permission before redistributing.
Copyright – Unless otherwise stated all contents of this website are © 2024 Pro Pharma Communications International. All Rights Reserved.
0
Post your comment