In Peru, the General Directorate of Medicines, Supplies, and Drugs (DIGEMID) is the National Authority that oversees the medical devices, equipment, pharmaceutical products, personal care, and health products market.

Is it necessary to obtain authorization to operate as a company prior to marketing restricted products?

Yes, according to Bill No. 29459 of 2019, in Peru, companies must register as a pharmaceutical establishment called drogueria with the General Directorate of Medicines, Supplies, and Drugs, before starting the importation and distribution of products. Alternatively, foreign companies that do not wish to operate locally in Peru can contract the services of a registration holder as Pharma Consulting who will act as their representative before our national authorities.

Is it necessary to obtain prior authorization for the marketing of medical equipment, pharmaceutical products, and other health products?

Yes, Bill No. 29459, Supreme Decree No. 016-2011-SA and its amendments establish that, in Peru, companies must have prior authorization for their products, which can be a registration in the case of medical equipment, devices, and pharmaceuticals or a mandatory health notification (NSO) for cosmetics and personal care products.

Are there import controls for medical equipment, devices, pharmaceuticals, or health products?

Yes, Peruvian Customs restricts the entry of medical equipment, devices, medicines, cosmetics, personal care, and other products established in Supreme Decree No. 016-2011-SA, Supreme Decree No. 001-2012-SA, and its amendments. Only companies holding a registration, a current mandatory health notification, or a certificate of these titles are authorized to import this type of product.

Is there a post-market surveillance system in Peru?

Yes, Peru has a Pharmacovigilance and Technovigilance system, established by Supreme Decree No. 013-2014.

Are international standards used to regulate the pharmaceutical market?

Yes, the Regulatory Authority in Peru evaluates the quality and safety parameters of medical equipment, devices, drugs, cosmetics, and other restricted products, taking as reference international standards such as ISO standards, standards published by the FDA, and regulations of the European Community and others of international recognition.

In Peru, only companies registered as droguerias or laboratories can import and distribute medical equipment and devices, medicines, cosmetics, personal care products, and other health products. Alternatively, foreign companies can designate a registration holder to represent them before the Peruvian authorities.

Establishments that sell medical equipment and devices, medicines, and health products must have an operating authorization granted by DIGEMID prior to importing, storing and distributing products.

A device for use in aesthetic medicine is classified biomedical, active, non-invasive, or minimally invasive device that acts through the administration or exchange of energy in the form of non-ionizing radiation, to or from the human body. Most of the equipment in this category belongs to Class II: moderate risk.

The use of this equipment is the responsibility of specialist medical professionals with the necessary technical knowledge. Additionally, patients and staff should always wear personal protective equipment during treatments.

• Intense pulsed light (IPL) equipment

Acts by applying light of high intensity and short duration (pulses) to the skin, causing the phenomenon of selective photothermolysis, or destruction by heat.

The main applications of IPL equipment are permanent hair removal, photorejuvenation, removal or attenuation of pigment spots caused by aging or solar radiation, rosacea, blood vessel treatments, removal or attenuation of telangiectasias (blood vessels visible on the skin), onychomycosis (fungal nail infection), attenuation of wrinkles, scars and stretch marks.

• Radiofrequency equipment

It works by transferring radiofrequency energy in the form of heat to the deeper layers of the skin to stimulate the production of collagen (collagen genesis) and the destruction of fat cells (lipolysis).

The main applications of radiofrequency equipment are rejuvenation, attenuation or elimination of wrinkles, flaccidity, and cellulite. It can be applied to all skin types and to any part of the body such as the skin of the face, neck, abdomen, thighs, and buttocks.

• Fractional laser

Acts by applying radiofrequency energy to a depth equivalent to a fraction of a millimeter within the skin, causing microscopic lesions that, upon healing, acquire a rejuvenated and firmer appearance.

Two types of fractional laser are available: fractionated laser with ablative or vaporizing effect and fractionated laser with non-ablative or coagulant effect.

The main applications of fractional laser equipment are rejuvenation, removal, or attenuation of acne scars, surgical scars, wrinkles, and stretch marks.

The import and distribution of this type of biomedical equipment can only be carried out by a licensed pharmaceutical establishment (droguería) authorized by DIGEMID for the import, commercialization, storage, and distribution of medical devices.

For this procedure, the application form must be submitted as a sworn statement, attaching the documentation indicated in subsection a) of Article 20 of Supreme Decree No. 016-11-SA. In addition, you must attach the documents detailed in number V of the sworn statement to be submitted.

The most important necessary documents are:

• Technical specifications of the equipment.

• Instructions for use or user manual.

• A current ISO 13485 certificate or document that certifies compliance with quality standards specific to the type of medical device, for example, IEC electrical safety certificate.

• A certificate that guarantees the safety, quality, and performance of the device.

El registro sanitario se solicita de manera virtual ante el Ministerio de Salud mediante la Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior (VUCE).

Source: ANMAT

Contact us via WhatsApp at 997556699 or by email at info@pharmaconsulting.pe and quote our health registration service for laser, IPL, and radiofrequency equipment for use in aesthetics in Peru.

The National Authority of Pharmaceutical Products, Medical Devices, and Health Products has reduced the maximum period of evaluation for the inscription and reinscription of medical devices in the Peruvian sanitary registry.

Medical Devices (MD) Class I, low risk: Up to thirty (30) calendar days.

Medical Devices (MD) Class II, moderate risk: Up to sixty (60) calendar days.

Medical Devices (MD) Class III, high risk: Up to ninety (90) calendar days.

Medical Devices (MD) Class IV, critical risk: Up to ninety (90) calendar days.

Due to this modification to the current regulations, manufacturers and importers are expected to reduce the time to market their products.

All medical device registration applications are subject to review from regulatory authorities. Distributors must wait until formal review and approval are complete to begin importing and selling. Timeframes range from 1 to 6 months. If all goes according to plan, DIGEMID will issue a Directorial Resolution approving your device registration. The registration is valid for ten years.

Learn more about MD registration in Perú and contact us at 997556699 or by mail info@pharmaconsulting.pe