Articles

Preclinical & Clinical Trials in Panama are regulated by Law 78 November 20, 2003; Law 84 of May 14, 2019; Executive Decree 1110 June 6, 2012; Resolution No. 512 of June 28, 2019; Executive Decree 1843 December 16, 2014.   1. Are clinical trials required to be conducted locally as a condition (stated or implicit)…
What are the pricing models, processes and principles for originator drugs? Drugs are provided by a medical institution or pharmacy to a patient based on the NHI Drug Price (a patient pays 10%, 20% or 30% (depending on age and other conditions) of the NHI Drug Price). As detailed in Question I. 2. a. above,…
What are the pricing models, processes and principles for originator drugs? Originator drugs (innovator medicines) are priced by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) following the principles outlined in its 2023 Drug Pricing Guidelines. The pricing process includes: External Reference Pricing (ERP): SFDA compares prices with a reference basket of 34 countries. Internal Reference…
1. What are the basic requirements to obtain patent and trademark protection? The basic requirements for obtaining a patent are the following:  Power of attorney granted by the applicant; no legalization nor notarization required Assignment Document legalized by Panamanian Consulate or Apostille Specifications, claims, abstract and drawings (if applicable).  If the applicant is a natural…
The legal framework for product liability in Panama. Prepared in association with AFRA, a leading global law firm, this is an extract from The Pharma Legal Handbook: Panama, available to purchase here for GBP 99.   1. What types of liability are recognized in your jurisdiction? Contractual and extracontractual responsibility. These can be administrative, civil, or criminal…
1. Are there proposals for reform or significant change to the healthcare system? Pre-project Law No. 12 which revokes law 462 of March 18, 2025, which modifies, adds to, revokes articles of law 51 of December 27, 2005, which reforms the organic law of the social security fund and enacts other provisions.   2. When…
Which are the health technology assessment (HTA) evaluation bodies and their responsibilities in your country? The primary HTA authority is the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), which hosts a dedicated HTA/Economic Evaluation Unit established in 2023. Its main responsibility is to evaluate clinical and economic evidence (EES) for: New chemical entities Biologics Re-pricing of…
1.Please make a general introduction to the public health sector in your country and its organization Saudi Arabia provides universal health coverage primarily funded by the government through a tax-based model. The healthcare system is organized in a tiered structure led by the Ministry of Health (MOH), which operates: • Over 287 public hospitals •…
Which are the administrations, bodies and institutions in charge of public health in your country and what are their respective responsibilities? The Ministry of Health (MOH) is the primary body responsible for public health in Saudi Arabia. It sets national health policies, issues licenses to healthcare providers (public and private), oversees public hospitals and primary…
Cannabinoid Drugs 1. Are Cannabinoid Drugs authorized in your country? Cannabinoids are substances subject to national control for therapeutic, medical, veterinary, scientific and research use.    2. What are the regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over Cannabinoid Drugs? The regulatory authorities are the Pharmaceutical and Drug Department from the Ministry of Health and the  Ministry of…