Table 1.

Legal framework for the National Health Research System in Panama

Health-related laws/policies	Established outcome
Law 66 of November 10, 1947 [21]	Code that regulates health issues and recognizes the importance of research to resolve health problems.
Law 78 of December 17, 2003 [22]	Grants autonomy to ICGES and responsibility for conducting, strengthening and developing scientific health research in the country.
Executive decree 1 of January 21, 2013 [24]	Creation of the National Committee on Ethics for Research within MINSA to promote good clinical practices for human subjects’ protection in the country.
National Health Policy 2010–2015 policy 7 [14]	Institutional strengthening of MINSA in health research to improve public health at a national level.
ST&I-related laws/policies
Law 13 of 1997 [2]	Gave SENACYT autonomy for national development of ST&I activities.
Law 50 of 2005 [2]	Gave SENACYT jurisdiction over policies and resources for ST&I in Panama.
Law 56 of December 14, 2007 [25]	Formation of the National Research System to recognize excellence in human resources and institutions according to a merit system.
National Strategic Plan on ST&I 2010–2014, [2]	Program for development in ST&I in biosciences and health sciences, and an agenda with strategic actions in research, development and innovation for health.