PANAMA AND EL SALVADOR

On April 29, Panama’s Assembly approved a bill that creates a cancer network and provides for an oncology telemedicine program. On April 27, the Assembly of El Salvador partially approved the observations submitted by the Executive Branch regarding the Law for the Prevention, Control and Care of Cancer Patients. This text creates a National Bank of Medicines and Oncological Supplies to ensure the treatment of the Salvadoran population. Both bills have been sent to their respective Executive Branches for enactment.

In the case of the bill approved in Panama, it establishes the organization of a national network of communication, information, teaching and services for cancer care called the National Network against Cancer. It also establishes the development of a telemedicine program to fight the disease. As for the governing body, the text confers the responsibility to the Ministry of Health. 

As for the bill approved in El Salvador, the comments accepted were related to technical details of wording, and do not imply modifications to the article dedicated to the National Bank of Medicines and Oncological Supplies. Thus, its creation is maintained, so that medicines and supplies can be used for the diagnosis and treatment of people with cancer, particularly in areas such as chemotherapy, targeted therapies, monoclonal antibodies, immunotherapies and ionizing radiation therapies. Additionally, the provision that establishes that the Bank may promote the joint purchase of medicines is maintained.