The Government will eliminate regulations for importing wheelchairs and medical products

From now on, the importation of wheelchairs, walkers, canes, blood pressure monitors, and other medical products for personal use will be allowed without the need for ANMAT intervention or a medical prescription. This provision by the Government of Javier Milei aims to facilitate access and reduce bureaucratic procedures for those who require these health items.

Previously, the process was complex for anyone trying to acquire for the first time, or replace, for example, a wheelchair. Purchasing these products from abroad became a path full of bureaucratic obstacles.

First, a medical prescription was required. Then, it was necessary to obtain two prior authorizations. Additionally, a detailed technical description had to be presented: brand, model, country of origin, translated manual, among other requirements. All that, just so a simple wheelchair (without motor or accessories) could enter through Customs.

The National Administration of Drugs, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT) will solve, after the publication in the Official Gazette scheduled for the coming days, to eliminate the requirements that until now were under its jurisdiction regarding the importation of various medical products for personal use.

The regulation covers items such as manual wheelchairs, crutches, blood pressure monitors, stethoscopes, canes, kinesiology tapes, electric heating pads, walkers, elbow pads, knee pads, wristbands, elastic bands, nebulizers, among other devices.

From the agency, they explained that it will no longer be mandatory to present a medical prescription or comply with specific procedures before ANMAT to import this type of products from abroad. Interested individuals will be able to purchase them like any other item, only complying with the usual customs requirements.

This provision responds to the guidelines established by the Ministry of Health of the Nation, whose objective is to "provide greater speed to citizens for access to products" and allow ANMAT to focus its tasks on the control and monitoring of more complex health innovations.

Soon, those who wish to bring these items for their personal use will no longer have to face extensive administrative procedures, which in many cases ended up hindering or delaying important decisions in health and well-being.

However, the products imported under this regulation must be intended exclusively for personal use and can't be marketed. The responsibility for their acquisition and use will fall entirely on the buyer.

The regulations that made the process difficult

Until now, importing something as basic as a wheelchair, even the simplest ones, without advanced technology or special design, involved going through a long and exhausting process. The bureaucracy and high costs made it an almost impossible task to purchase these devices from abroad.

For years, people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, family members, caregivers, and civil organizations pointed out that the procedures were slow, confusing, and in many cases, got stuck without resolution. To obtain authorization, it was mandatory to manage two prior permits and present detailed technical information about the product, such as the brand, model, and country of origin.

Translated brochures into Spanish, a pro forma invoice, and the patient's clinical background, among other documents, were also required. Additionally, it was necessary to complete a procedure before the AFIP, which added an extra level of complexity.

With the new regulation, for many people acquiring an ergonomic crutch, a good quality electric pad, or a special knee pad will no longer depend on getting a medical order, completing forms or waiting weeks. Now they will be able to choose the product they need, buy it online, and comply only with the steps required by Customs. Nothing more.

ANMAT will publish on its official website the list of products covered by this measure, which will be expanded over time as new items are incorporated.