Representatives of the Network of Drug Regulatory Authorities of Central America (RedCam) and the government of the Dominican Republic met in Santo Domingo April 23rd and 24th. The main topics discussed were the elaboration of a regional strategy on access to medications and the assessment of pharmaceutical regulations for the commercialization of these products. Members did not agree on a date for the implementation of the plan.

The participants agreed that regional authorities should strengthen stewardship and regulation functions in the access to drugs, since they are essential to guarantee public health. In addition, they stressed that good pharmaceutical practices are necessary to promote transparency in the drug market.

Altagracia Guzmán Marcelino, the Minister of Health of the Dominican Republic and the coordinator of the event, stated that “the idea of this summit is to build a regulatory framework that guarantees access and rational use of drugs and other safe and good-quality health technologies”.

RedCam is constituted by Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and the Dominican Republic. In addition, Cuba and the subregional drug office of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) participated in the meeting as special guests.