Latin America Calls Members of Congress To Legislate on Rare Diseases
Document Type
Presentation
Publication Date
8-28-2018
Abstract
More than 60 million people are affected by rare diseases in Latin America. People suffering from rare diseases and their families have struggled for years to have access to early and accurate diagnosis, a therapeutic and economic solution for their condition. Some Latin American countries have recognized the right to health and have enacted legislation to assist that population, and moreover, there are countries updating the national regulations to grant access and satisfy the needs of people suffering from rare diseases. However, this is uneven across the Latin American countries. Actually, countries including the right to life and health in the national constitution, they have no regulations or even recognition of the existence of rare diseases. The vision of PERLA 2021 (Rare Disease Program of Latin America) is to have in Latin America and by 2021 promulgated laws for economic coverage and access to diagnosis, medicines, medical devices and health services for people with rare diseases; and to promote the research and development of innovative clinical solutions for those diseases. It is necessary to work in a joint effort across the region where international regulations, practices, and successes are shared, to learn from mistakes, and to create the legal framework to meet the access and innovation needs.
Recommended Citation
Ferrer, F. (2018, August 29). Latin America calls members of congress to legislate on rare diseases. Presentation at the 5th Annual Congress on Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs, Boston, Massachusetts.
