PAHO Strengthens Bermuda's Medicines Regulatory Capacity Through Technical Exchange with Fiji

Washington, D.C., April 27 2026 (PAHO/WHO) - The Ministry of Health of Bermuda, with the support of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), convened a technical meeting focused on electronic systems for product registration and import control of medicines and other health technologies.

The virtual meeting took place within the framework of a technical exchange between Bermuda and Fiji, aimed at promoting peer-to-peer learning and the sharing of practical experiences on regulatory solutions applicable to small island and resource-limited settings.

Continuity in regulatory system strengthening

This exchange represents a direct continuation of the PAHO technical cooperation carried out in 2025 to support the development of Bermuda's National Importation Policy. PAHO has provided capacity-building activities, technical workshops, and advisory support grounded in international standards, good regulatory practices, and regulatory reliance principles.

The session provided an opportunity to further explore operational aspects critical for policy implementation, particularly related to the import authorization workflows, product registration, digitalization of regulatory processes and the use of information systems to support risk-based decision-making, oversight, and regulatory efficiency to ensure access to safe, effective and quality medicines and health technologies.

Technical cooperation and peer learning

The exchange brought together regulatory and technical representatives from the Bermuda Ministry of Health, the Bermuda Health Council, and the Bermuda Pharmacy Council, alongside counterparts from the Fiji Medicines Regulatory Authority, the WHO Representative Office for the South Pacific, and technical teams from PAHO.

During the session, Bermuda presented its current interests and challenges in developing a centralized electronic system to support medicines importation processes. In turn, the Fiji Medicines Regulatory Authority shared its experience with CONFORMA, an electronic platform used for product registration, prequalification, and import control.

This open, peer-to-peer format enabled an exchange of lessons learned, best practices, and practical insights, reinforcing the value of collaborative learning as a mechanism to accelerate regulatory modernization while minimizing duplication of efforts.