Por: Andrea Castillo

On February 2023, the Department of Regulation and Control of Pharmaceutical and Related Products published an update of Technical Standard 57, corresponding to version 2 – 2023, which will be in force on March 21, 2023.

Some of the new features of this new version are as follows:

– In Article 1, the objective is modified, adding the option of applying the abbreviated procedure to branded products so that they can also be registered as generic, and vice versa.

– Article 2 is added, clarifying that the application scope is for specialty pharmaceutical products.

– Article 3 is added, where several definitions are listed for the correct application and interpretation of the Standard.

– Article 4 contains the general provisions, including the following:

  • The pharmaceutical product, whether generic or brand name, must have the same information and characteristics as the drug already registered. No differences will be accepted.
  • The requirements are the same as those established in the RTCA of Pharmaceutical Products, Drugs for Human Use, current version. Likewise, renewals and modifications will be governed by said legislation.
  • Payment will be made to the National Health Laboratory, which will perform post-marketing analysis for surveillance.

– In Article 5 on the requirements, it is indicated that in addition to what is requested in the RTCA, a Letter of Pronouncement signed by the Holder or Legal Representative must be submitted, stating that the product to be registered has the same information as the product already registered as a reference.

– Article 7 is added, which clarifies that the National Health Laboratory is in charge of performing the post-marketing analysis, for surveillance. In case this result is of non-compliance, the registration will be canceled”.