The process in Central America has had certain similarities with the Andean Group, but with greater emphasis on the Harmonization of Pharmacological Standards. It has given much relevance to the strengthening of control and quality assurance mechanisms establishing, amongst others, a network of testing laboratories.

GMPs from the World Health Organization have also been adopted in the Central American sub-region, and the countries have initiated a process which is aimed to their affiliation to the WHO Certification System for products under International Trade.

Intensive work has been carried out to improve the information systems related to regulatory approval and its computerization, as grounds for decision-making. The core of the harmonizing principles for the management of Regulatory Approvals appears to be very promising, particularly since common principles for the Cosmetics Approval have been established, based on the adoption of common lists, both positive and negative, i.e. active and inert substances that are allowed and prohibited in each cosmetic line.

A code for the Promotion of Drugs has also been drafted, following the basic principles of WHO guidelines on the subject.