The sector is governed by Law No. 70 of 2020 on the practice of medicine and its allied professions and the rights of patients and health facilities. It regulates the licensing of practitioners and facilities, informed consent and disclosure to the patient, and it established the Medical Liability Authority as the body that gives the technical opinion on any allegation of medical error or professional violation, in the public and private sectors alike.
The firm acts for hospitals, clinics, medical centres, laboratories, pharmacies and individual practitioners. Our regulatory work covers facility and practitioner licensing and renewal, scope of practice, advertising and promotion rules, patient records and confidentiality, and the registration, import and distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
Medical liability is a substantial part of the practice. We represent practitioners and facilities in claims alleging medical error, in civil proceedings and where the allegation has been referred to the Public Prosecution. Because the Authority's technical opinion carries decisive weight, most of the work is done at that stage: preparing the clinical and documentary answer, addressing the committee on the standard actually applicable to the specialty, testing findings the clinical record does not support, and coordinating with professional indemnity insurers.
On commercial matters, we advise on the establishment and structuring of medical facilities, employment and investment contracts with physicians, management and operating agreements, equipment supply and maintenance contracts, and disputes with staff, patients, suppliers or insurers.
We also advise pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies on market entry, distribution and agency arrangements, participation in Ministry of Health and other public tenders, regulatory clearance, and the promotional and interaction rules that apply when dealing with practitioners and public institutions.