Regulatory Services

Pharmaceutical Registration in Costa Rica

Planning to introduce a new medicine to the Costa Rican market? The registration process may seem complex, but it doesn't have to be. Saluvexis manages the complete file before the Ministry of Health through the Regístrelo platform, with integrated licensed regulatory pharmacist.

Pharmaceutical Registration Saluvexis Costa Rica
Service detail

What is Pharmaceutical Sanitary Registration in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica, through the Ministry of Health, regulates the import, distribution, commercialization, prescription and promotion of medicines. This process is conducted through the Sanitary Registration, which has a validity of five years, subject to renewal.

The main regulation governing this process is Executive Decree 43259-COMEX-S-MEIC, published in La Gaceta, which applies the Central American Technical Regulation (RTCA) for Medicine Registration. This regulatory framework establishes the requirements, timelines and procedures to obtain, renew and modify medicine registration in Costa Rica.

Results

What does the pharmaceutical sanitary registration service include?

Saluvexis manages the complete cycle of pharmaceutical sanitary registration before the Costa Rican Ministry of Health. The service is executed through the Regístrelo platform and complies with the RTCA for Medicine Registration.

Service stages

  • Initial regulatory evaluation: determination of medicine category (chemical synthesis, biologic, requiring bioequivalence, etc.) and applicable requirements.
  • Documentary review: verification of CPP, technical monograph, bioequivalence studies, GMP and other documentation.
  • Apostille and translation: coordination of legalization and Spanish translation.
  • Regístrelo submission: digital file upload before the Directorate of Regulation of Products of Sanitary Interest.
  • Procedure follow-up: response to technical, regulatory and pharmaceutical objections.
  • Local regulatory representation: Saluvexis as local representative; the manufacturer retains ownership of the registration.
  • Regulatory pharmacist: Saluvexis's licensed pharmacist in charge of technical compliance.
  • Maintenance: renewals, post-registration modifications and continuous pharmacovigilance.

Medicine categories covered

  • Chemical synthesis medicines (multi-source and innovator)
  • Biologic medicines and biosimilars
  • Medicines requiring bioequivalence
  • Specialty medicines
  • Hospital pharmaceutical products
Differentiator

Sanitary Registration Process: 6 stages

Saluvexis manages the complete sanitary registration process before the Ministry of Health under a structured 6-stage flow, each with clear deliverables and professional follow-up.

1
Classification and dossier compilation
2
Dossier compliance review
3
Pre-submission and dossier translation
4
Submission via Regístrelo platform
5
Registration approval and quality verification
6
Final approval — Marketing authorization granted
Coverage

What is the RTCA for Medicine Registration?

The Central American Technical Regulation (RTCA) for Medicine Registration establishes the technical requirements for registration, renewal and modification of medicines in the member countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA). Its purpose is regional harmonization of technical regulations to guarantee the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines.

The RTCA applies to medicines manufactured or imported by natural or legal persons for commercialization in the territory of the State Parties.

RTCAs related to medicine registration

In addition to the RTCA on Sanitary Registration Requirements, other Central American technical regulations apply to the medicine lifecycle:

  • RTCA Labeling of Pharmaceutical Products
  • RTCA Quality Verification
  • RTCA Stability Studies
  • RTCA Good Manufacturing Practices
  • RTCA Validation of Analytical Methods

Saluvexis covers compliance with all these RTCAs applicable to the product during the registration process and maintenance.

Operations

What outcome does the laboratory obtain?

The laboratory obtains the official certificate enabling import and commercialization of the medicine in Costa Rica, plus continuous pharmaceutical support during the five years of validity.

Sanitary Registration

Certificate issued by the Ministry of Health, valid for five years, enabling medicine commercialization.

Licensed regulatory pharmacist

Saluvexis provides the legally required pharmacist, eliminating the need to hire an external one.

Sanitary legal representation

Saluvexis as local regulatory representative before the Ministry of Health; the manufacturer retains ownership of the registration.

Operational pharmacovigilance

Compliance with the National Pharmacovigilance System: continuous reports and monitoring.

Registration maintenance

Renewals, post-registration modifications and documentary updates.

Distribution option

If the laboratory wishes, Saluvexis can also commercially distribute the product.

Compliance

Why Saluvexis for medicine registration?

Traditional pharmaceutical regulatory consultants only handle paperwork and don't include regulatory pharmacist or distribution. Saluvexis collapses all critical functions for medicines into a single local partner.

CapabilityRegulatory ConsultantsSaluvexis
Pharmaceutical sanitary registration
Compliance with RTCA Medicine Registration
Management via Regístrelo platform
Licensed regulatory pharmacist includedSeparately outsourced✓ Integrated
Operational pharmacovigilanceVariable
Costa Rican local domicileNot always✓ MEIC SME
Distribution option afterward
Single integrated contract

Saluvexis registers your medicine with licensed regulatory pharmacist integrated. No need to hire a separate pharmacist, legal representative or pharmacovigilance: everything is included.

FAQ

Your most common questions

What regulation governs medicine registration in Costa Rica?

Medicine registration in Costa Rica is mainly governed by Executive Decree 43259-COMEX-S-MEIC, which applies the Central American Technical Regulation (RTCA) for Medicine Registration. The Ministry of Health regulates the import, distribution, commercialization, prescription and promotion of medicines through the Sanitary Registration, with five-year renewable validity.

What is the Regístrelo platform?

Regístrelo is the official digital platform of the Costa Rican Ministry of Health for managing sanitary registrations of medicines and other regulated products. Saluvexis handles all procedures through this platform as part of the integrated service.

Is a licensed regulatory pharmacist mandatory?

Yes. Any company commercializing medicines in Costa Rica must have a licensed regulatory pharmacist registered with the College of Pharmacists. Saluvexis has an active licensed regulatory pharmacist as part of the service.

How long is the pharmaceutical sanitary registration valid?

Pharmaceutical sanitary registration issued by the Ministry of Health is valid for five years, renewable. Saluvexis handles renewals and post-registration modifications throughout the product lifecycle.

Does Saluvexis also handle legal representation and pharmacovigilance?

Yes. Saluvexis acts as the local sanitary representative and operates the National Pharmacovigilance System for registered products; the manufacturer retains ownership of the registration. Includes adverse event reporting and traceability.

What medicines can be registered?

Saluvexis manages registrations of generic (multi-source), innovator, biosimilar, biologic, specialty, hospital pharmaceutical products and medicines that require bioequivalence studies.

What about bioequivalence studies?

Bioequivalence studies are required for certain medicines according to current regulations. Saluvexis advises the laboratory on specific requirements and, when applicable, on bioequivalence exemptions (bioexemption) based on technical criteria.

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