On Thursday May 16, the National Regulatory Authorities of Regional Reference (NRAr) met in Buenos Aires to discuss the need for a global tool to strengthen the regulatory system and support the move towards regulatory convergence. The debate on this key issue is expected to resume during the next NRAr meeting, to be scheduled before year-end.

The Argentine Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT), the host organization, highlighted “the importance of such strategic spaces which strengthen collaboration between agencies in the region.” A proposal to establish new cooperation mechanisms was raised during the meeting. Analía Porrás, head of the Medicines and Health Technologies Unit of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), emphasized the importance of the meeting as a “strategic space to strengthen the regional regulatory system”, based on global regulatory instruments. Porrás also emphasized making “access to medicines in emergency situations” easier.

The event was attended by authorities from the Argentine ANMAT, Anvisa (Brazil), CECMED (Cuba), ISP (Chile), HS (Canada), INVIMA (Colombia), FDA (United States) and COFEPRIS (Mexico), as well as from PAHO. It is worth remembering that the agencies making up the NRA meet twice a year to discuss proposals and experiences on regulatory issues, emerging issues and regional impact.