Ecuador Updates Good Practices Regulations for Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices

The Republic of Ecuador has announced significant amendments to its Sanitary Technical Regulation on Good Practices for Storage, Distribution, and/or Transportation for pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers of medical devices for human use. This update is formalized through Resolution No. ARCSA-DE-2024-047-DASP, issued by the National Agency for Sanitary Regulation, Control, and Surveillance (ARCSA) on December 12, 2024. The regulation will take effect six months after its signing, as stipulated in the addendum from the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment, and Fisheries, ensuring stakeholders have adequate time to comply.

Key Details of the New Sanitary Technical Regulation:

Purpose and Scope

The updated regulation emphasizes modernizing certification procedures, reinforcing operational requirements, and ensuring compliance obligations for establishments engaged in the storage, distribution, and transportation of pharmaceutical products and medical devices. It aligns with international best practices to protect public health and improve regulatory oversight.

Main Amendments:

1. Certification and Compliance Enhancements:

   • Revised procedures for obtaining, renewing, and modifying certifications, including stricter documentation and validation requirements.
   • Introduction of transitional provisions allowing microenterprises and small businesses to undergo certification without inspection fees for a three-year period.

2. Operational Standards and Safety Measures:

   • Reinforced emphasis on temperature control and environmental mapping, requiring facilities to monitor and document conditions for at least seven days during initial validation and repeat the process every three years.
   • Enhanced requirements for security measures to prevent unauthorized access to storage facilities.

3. Third-Party and Subcontracting Processes:

   • Clear guidelines for establishments outsourcing storage, distribution, or transportation, mandating formal notification to ARCSA, supported by signed contracts with certified third-party providers.
   • Requirements for transparency and traceability in subcontracted services, ensuring alignment with regulatory norms.

4. Updated Definitions and Repealed Sections:

   • Inclusion of new terms like “Notification of Contracted Services”, describing obligations for facilities using external service providers.
   • Repeal of outdated sections, including those related to certifications issued by accredited inspection bodies, as ARCSA assumes direct responsibility for certifications.

5. Audit and Inspection Framework:

   • Mandatory periodic audits during the validity of certifications to verify adherence to Good Practices and the conditions under which certifications were granted.

6. Labeling and Traceability Improvements:

   • New requirements for product labeling, specifying details such as product name, batch/lot number, expiration date (for applicable products), and storage conditions.
   • Temperature-controlled products must have documented proof of compliance across the supply chain, including transportation.

Implementation Timeline

The regulation will enter into force on June 12, 2025, ensuring a structured transition period. This timeline allows stakeholders to adapt their operations to the new requirements.

This amendment reflects Ecuador’s commitment to enhancing its regulatory framework for pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Stakeholders are advised to review the regulation thoroughly, which can be found here (in Spanish).