In some cases, the patent is renewable for an additional ten years, however no pharmaceutical patents are currently accepted. Although not regulated, it can be assumed that international exhaustion of rights prevails and parallel importation is not restricted. Panama Panama enacted the most recent legislation in the Central American region. Current Decree Law No. 35 went into effect in May 1996, and is consistent with TRIPs requirements. The law completely eradicated any provisions for compulsory licensing.
Patent exhaustion is local, protecting against parallel importation.
Additionally, past expiration based on non-manufacturing was eliminated. Efforts should now be directed towards improving the registration procedures and administration of justice, allowing for an effective and practical application of the new legislation. Other Barriers Price Controls Nicaragua and Panama continue to maintain a policy of price controls on pharmaceutical products. Recent Ministry of Health and Presidential Decrees in Costa expressly aim to reduce pharmaceutical prices, allowing parallel imports by wholesalers and promoting the use of generics by explicitly requiring that pharmacists provide consumers options similar or equivalent to what has been prescribed.