Bridgetown, Barbados, October 21, 2026.– Barbados has taken another significant step in the development of its national regulatory system for medicines and health technologies through a stakeholder consultation with technical support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the participation of key national and international partners. The consultation marked a major step toward finalizing the regulations that will support the implementation of the Barbados Medical Products Act and the operational launch of the Barbados Medical Products Authority (BMPA).
Held on 20 October in Bridgetown, the consultation workshop brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health, health professional councils, industry stakeholders, and development partners to review and discuss draft regulations covering medical products and clinical trials under the purview of the BMPA. The event provided a platform for participants to examine the proposed framework, raise questions, and contribute practical recommendations that will help shape the final regulatory package in the spirit of good regulatory practices.
The draft regulations establish the foundations for a comprehensive regulatory system governing all regulatory functions including market authorization of medical products, the licensing and oversight of establishments, post-market surveillance and pharmacovigilance activities, and the conduct of clinical trials. Developed in alignment with internationally recognized standards and adapted to Barbados’ national context, the regulations are intended to strengthen public health protection while supporting timely access to safe, effective, and quality-assured medical products and advancing the vision of increasing local production capacities.
Throughout the consultation, participants provided feedback on key areas including licensing requirements, electronic submissions, inspections, fees, transition arrangements, product recalls, and pharmacovigilance obligations. Discussions also addressed market authorization pathways and mechanisms to ensure that the future regulatory system remains efficient, transparent, and responsive to the needs of patients, healthcare professionals, and regulated entities.
The consultation forms part of a broader program of technical cooperation through which PAHO has been supporting Barbados in strengthening its regulatory capacities since 2024. Through a series of assisted self- benchmarking and capacity-building missions based on the World Health Organization’s Global Benchmarking Tools, the country has advanced its preparedness for the establishment of an autonomous regulatory authority and reaffirmed its commitment to achieving WHO Maturity Level 3 by 2029.
Following the consultation, PAHO and the Barbados authorities will review stakeholder feedback and incorporate accepted amendments into the draft regulations before their submission to the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The process reflects Barbados’ commitment to a transparent and participatory approach to regulatory strengthening, ensuring that the new framework benefits from the expertise and experience of those who will implement and comply with it.
The stakeholder consultation represents a significant step toward establishing a modern, effective, and sustainable regulatory system in Barbados. Once implemented, the new framework will strengthen oversight of medical products and clinical research, improve access to quality-assured health technologies, and reinforce the country’s health security and public health goals.
