In Guatemala, the Ministry of Health will delay for six months, the entry into force of the increase in the cost of procedures such as the issuance of licenses and health records, necessary to market food and medicines.
On December 1, 2020, by means of Governmental Agreement 179-2020, the new fees for the services of procedures of licenses, registrations and other processes for medicines, laboratories, pharmaceuticals, food products and others came into effect.
The business sector in Guatemala is anticipating an increase in the prices of food and medicines, due to the government's decision to raise the cost of procedures such as the issuance of licenses and health registrations, required to market these products.
By means of Government Agreement 179-2020, which entered into force on December 1, 2020, new fees were imposed for the services of procedures for licenses, registrations and other processes for medicines, laboratories, pharmaceuticals, food products and others.
Because alcohol gel not meeting minimum requirements is marketed in Nicaragua, local laboratories are asking the government to expedite the process of granting permits for the manufacture and registration of the product.
The health crisis generated by the spread of covid-19 has caused alcohol gels that do not meet the requirements established by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be sold on the local market.
The business sector in Nicaragua believes that the bill under discussion in the Assembly, which empowers the government to fine agricultural producers if they fail to comply with approved phytosanitary standards, has excessive discretion.
A few days ago, a bill called the "Plant Protection Law" was submitted to the National Assembly. This is a legal framework that empowers the Institute of Protection and Health (IPSA) to impose sanctions ranging from $100 to $700 on any producer that does not comply with the requirements at the time the government carries out an inspection.
Authorities from both countries began the process of sanitary validation for the export of five agricultural items of Dominican production to the Asian nation.
The negotiations take place within the framework of the new diplomatic and commercial relations established between the two nations, and on the basis of the sanitary protocol signed by the parties in November 2018, informed the Ministry of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic.
Costa Rican authorities issued a health alert because they are marketing anabolic medicines, multivitamins and dewormers without registration in the country.
The Directorate of Veterinary Medicines (DMV) of the National Animal Health Service, explained that the compounds that are being offered on social networks and some websites are Injectable Crecibol and the vitamin Engordan Plus Ande.
In El Salvador, private laboratories certified by the National Quality System will be able to analyze samples of food and beverages in order to opt for a sanitary registration during vacation periods.
The amendments, which were confirmed by the Ministry of Health and Social Assistance (Minsal) and the Ministry of Economy (Minec), respond to the requests made by businessmen at the first meeting of the Trade Facilitation Committee (Cifacil).
Although in Costa Rica the procedures for approving new pesticides that enter the market should take a few weeks, there are processes that have not been processed for more than ten years, which prevents increasing and improving the supply of products.
The State Phytosanitary Service (SFE), which is part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, accumulates dozens of files that are still pending approval, including some that have been waiting for more than a decade.
Obtaining health records in Panama is a complex task, since it is the only Central American country that requests physical samples of new toiletries and cosmetics.
Another factor influencing delays in the issuance of health records is the need for new procedure manuals and more staff, according to local authorities.
Abolishing pre-certification inspection for industrial, commercial or service establishments in Costa Rica, a proposal is being made to reduce the period for processing health permits from 91 to 7 days.
From Procomer's statement:
The Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC), the Foreign Trade Promoter of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) and the Ministry of Health issued Executive Decree No.
Guatemala's pharmaceutical sector is demanding delays in the authorization of medicines, since it is estimated that more than a thousand dossiers are waiting for the endorsement to be legally commercialized in the country.
According to authorities of the College of Pharmacists and Chemists of Guatemala, the Department of Regulation and Control of Pharmaceuticals and Related Products of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) has been operating irregularly since January 2017, when its former headquarters located in zone 15 of Guatemala City caught fire.
Adapt the country's sanitary norms to international standards and unify food import and export systems is part of the plan proposed by the Varela administration.
In order to take advantage of commercial agreements and increase exports to the European and North American markets, the government is working to consolidate its health systems.
The Panamanian Association of Exporters (Apex) CEO, Rosmer Jurado, said to Elcapitalfinanciero.com that "… the government's decision to initiate the process of unification and modernization of the country's health system is key to ensure that importers and exporters fulfill the same standards, so that consumers are assured that imported products meet the same quality requirements as domestic production, ensuring their safety."
The Ministry of Public Health's new online platform promises to facilitate registration procedures and sanitary licenses for food and beverages in Guatemala.
The authorities reported that the platform will enable procedures to be carried out online, and indicated that verifications in the fieldwill also be strengthened.
In Guatemala, a workshop to train professionals from the Central American region on the use of the Regional Integration System for Health Registries is being organized for June 18.
From a statement issued by the Sieca:
The Center for Studies for Economic Integration (CEIE) at the Central American Economic Integration Secretariat (SIECA) is organizing a workshop to train professionals from the Central American region on the use of the Regional Integration System for Health Registries (SIRRS).The objective is to promote the use of the IT platform and train personnel in the private sector in its use and exploitation.
With the implementation of the VUCE 2.0 system, approvals of import permits managed by companies in the food, medical, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors in Costa Rica are set to be accelerated.
From a statement issued by PROCOMER:
San José, December 7, 2017.Companies in the food, medical, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors that operate in Costa Rica will have greater ease in acquiring their raw materials and finished products, now that the VUCE 2.0 system will implement a 24/7 approval system for import permits (technical notes) for those sectors.