COSTA RICA

On December 2, the Executive Branch of Costa Rica published in the Official Gazette Resolution 446-2021 approved by the Council of Ministers of Central American Economic Integration (COMIECO in Spanish). This resolution includes the new version of the Central American Technical Regulation (RTCA in Spanish) on Pharmaceutical Products, Medicines for Human Use and Sanitary Registration Requirements. It also includes the update of the Procedure for the Mutual Recognition of Sanitary Registration of Medicines for Human Use. The regulations cover any type of medicine. The resolution will enter into force on January 3, 2022.

Regarding the Central American Regulation, the update indicates that the regulatory authority may authorize the exception of the sanitary registration for the importation and use of medicines negotiated through the Council of Ministers of Health of Central America (COMISCA in Spanish), except in the case of Honduras. It also states that the renewal of the sanitary registration may be processed at any time before the expiration date of such registration, without losing its corresponding number.

In the case of the Mutual Recognition Procedure, it applies to any medicine produced in a Central American country member of the Secretariat of Economic Integration of Central America (SIECA in Spanish). Unlike the current document, the new Procedure specifies how its contents will be applicable in Panama. It should be recalled that Panama was not a member of SIECA when the previous procedure was agreed.