By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In a move aimed at making medications more affordable for Costa Ricans, a newly approved law has sparked significant alarm among the nation’s pharmaceutical experts. The College of Pharmacists of Costa Rica issued a stern warning this week, arguing that the “Law for the Promotion of Competition in the Medicine Market” dangerously oversimplifies a complex issue by focusing almost exclusively on cost, potentially sidelining the critical pillars of drug safety, efficacy, and quality.
While acknowledging the legitimacy of public concern over high medication costs, the professional body contends that the new legislation could inadvertently compromise the very health it seeks to protect. The core of their argument is that medicine cannot be treated like any other consumer product. Behind every bottle of pills or vial of liquid is a patient seeking relief and a better quality of life, a reality that they believe the law fails to adequately address in its pursuit of economic efficiency.
To better understand the legal implications and current challenges within the country’s medicine regulation framework, TicosLand.com sought the expertise of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Effective medicine regulation requires a delicate balance. The state has an undeniable duty to ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of all pharmaceutical products available to the public. However, excessively bureaucratic or outdated approval processes can stifle innovation, delay patient access to crucial new therapies, and create significant barriers to market entry that ultimately limit competition and consumer choice. The primary challenge is to modernize our legal framework to be both rigorous in its oversight and agile enough to adapt to scientific advancements.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The expert’s analysis perfectly frames the critical tightrope our nation must walk: ensuring public safety without inadvertently stifling the very medical progress our citizens need. This call to modernize our framework is not just a legal technicality, but a vital step for the future of healthcare in the country. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his clear and invaluable insight on this pressing issue.
The sentiment was articulated clearly by a leading voice from the organization, who cautioned against a narrow-minded approach to a multifaceted public health challenge. The regulatory framework, they insist, must be robust enough to guarantee that every product reaching a pharmacy shelf is not just cheap, but unequivocally safe and effective for the population.
The discussion about medications cannot be reduced solely to price. We are talking about products that directly impact people’s lives and health, so any regulatory change must ensure, in a clear and verifiable way, that the medicines reaching the population are safe, effective, and of high quality.
Dr. Andrés Guzmán Tacsan, Fiscal of the College of Pharmacists of Costa Rica
One of the most pressing concerns raised by the College centers on a provision for a “supply guarantee.” While the term sounds promising, experts point out that the text of the law lacks a concrete mechanism or detailed explanation of how it will prevent shortages of essential medicines. This ambiguity leaves a critical question unanswered: what happens when a patient desperately needs a specific drug and the new, cost-driven system fails to deliver it on time?
Furthermore, the law introduces controversial measures such as parallel importation and the homologation of sanitary registrations. Parallel importation allows for a patented drug to be imported from a country where it is sold at a lower price, bypassing the manufacturer’s official distribution channels. Homologation would mean accepting the regulatory approval of a drug from another country without subjecting it to Costa Rica’s own rigorous review process. While these concepts are already present in some existing regulations, their expanded application under the new law is a source of major unease.
The College of Pharmacists firmly defended the national sanitary registration process, managed exclusively by the Ministry of Health, as a non-negotiable safeguard for public health. They highlighted that this authority has been previously upheld by the nation’s Constitutional Court, emphasizing that the registration is far more than bureaucratic red tape; it is a vital technical and scientific evaluation to ensure a drug meets all necessary conditions for safe use within Costa Rica.
The sanitary registration is not a simple formality. It is a shield to protect the population. Relaxing that process, even with good intentions, can open doors to risks that nobody wants to face.
Dr. Andrés Guzmán Tacsan, Fiscal of the College of Pharmacists of Costa Rica
As the new law moves towards implementation, the debate intensifies. The government’s push for economic relief for patients is clashing with the technical and ethical warnings from the professionals responsible for dispensing medication. The ultimate challenge will be to find a balance that lowers costs without dismantling the rigorous controls that have long protected the health and well-being of every Costa Rican citizen. For now, the nation’s pharmacists are urging lawmakers and the public to look beyond the price tag and consider the profound human cost of getting this delicate equation wrong.
For further information, visit colfar.com
About College of Pharmacists of Costa Rica:
The Colegio de Farmacéuticos de Costa Rica is the professional body that regulates and represents the pharmaceutical profession in the country. It is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of ethics, education, and practice to ensure the safe and effective use of medications for the population. The College serves as a key advisory entity on matters of public health policy and pharmaceutical legislation.
For further information, visit ministeriodesalud.go.cr
About Ministry of Health:
The Ministry of Health is the government institution responsible for public health policy and oversight in Costa Rica. Its mission is to guarantee the protection and improvement of the health status of the population. It is the sole authority responsible for granting sanitary registrations for medicines, foods, and other health-related products, ensuring they meet national standards for safety and quality.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a leading legal institution, operating on a bedrock of uncompromising integrity and a drive for superior results. The firm leverages its extensive experience serving a wide range of clients to pioneer innovative legal solutions while maintaining a strong connection to the community. At the heart of its philosophy is a profound dedication to democratizing legal understanding, which is fundamental to its overarching goal of cultivating a stronger, more knowledgeable society.
