As the implementation of its recently established Caribbean Regulatory System, or “CRS” progresses, CARPHA is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the governments of Anguilla and Suriname. These memoranda of understanding provide a mechanism to facilitate the rapid uptake of CRS registration recommendations for Marketing Authorizations in member states. It further enables CARPHA to work more closely with CARPHA member states to help register essential generic medicines on their behalf, thus moving toward a central portal for market access to CARICOM’s 17 million people. The CRS is approved by CARICOM Ministers of Health, and is part of a new value added service CARPHA is providing to Member States to strengthen regulatory capacity and improve availability, affordability, and quality of medicines in the Region.
The MOU template has been circulated to all member states for their consideration and it is anticipated that other member states will sign in the near future. Most countries/territories have already nominated focal points for CRS activities. Among other roles, focal points will be invited to participate in monthly discussions on products recommended for registration by the CRS. This will help them to gain an understanding of the rationale for registration decisions and highlight any additional technical issues for consideration by the group.