Without having to undertake their own extensive reviews, which take time and resources, Latin American nations have taken on the task of investigating how a tool like regulatory reliance can be better used to improve health ecosystems in the region, based on trust and teamwork, our local correspondent reports.

In this context, they have heard experiences from other nations, especially European, about the benefits of this approach, which in essence allows them to take advantage of, or take into account, work that has already been done, supported by authorities that have high standards of safety, recognition and quality, such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA), for their own decision-making, leading to faster approval of new medicines, and ensuring shorter waiting times and faster access for the population to the latest and best in medical treatments, without these nations losing their autonomy, independence and powers.

Last May, a webinar entitled Innovative approaches to the implementation of regulatory reliance: Global trends and perspectives for Latin America and the Caribbean, was organized by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) and the Latin American Federation of the Pharmaceutical Industry (FIFARMA). It was attended by professionals from regulatory authorities, the pharmaceutical industry and academia.