The Congress of Peru passed a law promoting accessibility to and coverage for quality medications as well as support technologies for individuals with disabilities. The legislation, which was unanimously endorsed, adds three sections to article 33 of the law and modifies article 2 of Law 29973 on Individuals with Disabilities.

The law provides for the Ministry of Health and regional governments to ensure access to and the availability of quality medications, support technologies, and assistive devices to individuals with disabilities as well as the compensation needed for their care, habilitation, and rehabilitation, taking into account their socioeconomic, geographic, and cultural status. These benefits will be provided directly by the medical, habilitation, and rehabilitation services of the Social Security Office on Health (Seguro Social de Salud or EsSalud) and the hospitals under the Ministries of Defense and the Interior.

In addition, the text authorizes the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (Consejo Nacional para las Personas con Discapacidad or CONADIS) and the Regional Health Offices (Oficinas Regionales de Atención or OREDIS) to establish management strategies and instruments and plans which facilitate access to support technologies. The new law will benefit 1.5 million individuals in Peru.

The bill, which was authored by congressional representative Leyla Chihuán Ramos (Fuerza Popular, opposition), was spearheaded by the President of the Commission on Social Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities (Comisión de Inclusión Social y Personas con Discapacidad), Edwin Donayre Gotzch (Alianza Para el Progreso, opposition).