Panama Health Insider!

September 16, 2025 Edition

Welcome back to Panama Health Insider!

This week: Panama has just enacted new restrictions on vaping and electronic cigarettes—a regulation that could directly impact your lifestyle choices. At the same time, President Mulino is strengthening ties with Japan to attract more investment into the country, a move that could shape Panama’s economic future and opportunities for the international community living here.

Stay tuned for the details below, plus our exclusive health deals to help you save while staying healthy in Panama.

Weekly Summary – Health & Lifestyle Insights for Expats

1. Panama Tightens E-Cigarette Regulations

On August 13, Panama’s Ministry of Health (MINSA) enforced Resolution No.146-2025, introducing stricter rules on the sale, promotion, and advertising of vaping and e-cigarette products.
What This Means for You: If you’re an expat who vapes or is considering these products, expect tighter availability and clearer restrictions in pharmacies and stores. Staying informed helps avoid surprises when shopping locally.

Source: Facebook.com/minsapma/

2. Investment Buzz: Mulino’s Japan Visit Sparks Infrastructure Project Deals

During his visit to Japan, President José Raúl Mulino met with major companies, including Sumitomo, KN Trading, and Mizuho Bank, to promote investment in Panama. Key projects on the table include the Panama-David train, Line 3 of the Metro, port developments, and a gas pipeline via the Canal.
What This Means for You: Increased foreign investment leads to better infrastructure and services, often resulting in improved healthcare access, transportation, and public amenities for expatriates.

Source: presidencia.gob.pa

3. Health News: Funding Cuts Disrupt HIV Prevention in Panama

US funding cuts have affected several HIV prevention programs in Panama via PEPFAR, including the delivery of PrEP to key populations (such as MSM, sex workers, and transgender individuals). In certain regions, this has led to reduced capacity for HIV counseling, testing, and delayed lab services.
What This Means for You: If you’re involved in HIV prevention or rely on these services (or know someone who does), this shift could affect access. It’s a reminder to check current availability and consider backup options.

Source: UNAIDS

🔬This Month’s Health Deals – Prevention Month at Laboratorios Raly

This September, join Prevention Month Against Cancer with 30% off special tests for early tumor detection and prostate cancer screening.
Offer valid until October 31, 2025.
⚠️ Not applicable with other promotions or senior discounts.

Spotlight Analysis – Deep Dive

Moving to Panama comes with sun, beaches… and sometimes, unexpected allergies.

For many expatriates, allergies are not just a health detail — they’re a surprise that changes daily life in a tropical climate. Some arrive thinking their old allergies will follow them, only to discover they have disappeared. Others, who never had allergies before, suddenly develop new ones thanks to Panama’s humidity, mold, and dust mites.

In this week’s deep dive, we explore:

Why do expats experience different allergens in Panama compared to their home countries?
The most common triggers you’ll face here (and how they differ from pollen allergies in the U.S. or Europe).
Practical solutions expatriates use every day — from affordable medications to home hacks that keep mold and humidity under control.
The critical warning: why confusing allergies with tropical diseases like dengue can be dangerous.

👉 Allergies in Panama can feel overwhelming at first, but with the right knowledge, they’re completely manageable.

More info here

🔎 Closing Thoughts

This week’s developments highlight the balancing act Panama faces in safeguarding public health while navigating economic and political pressures. From funding cuts threatening HIV prevention programs to new investment opportunities in infrastructure and the tightening of e-cigarette regulations, the message is clear: health is not an isolated issue—it is deeply tied to policy, finance, and lifestyle choices.

For expats and residents alike, the key takeaway is preparedness. Whether it’s understanding how shifts in healthcare funding may affect access to treatment, following regulatory changes that impact daily life, or tracking new economic projects that reshape communities, staying informed is the first step toward making confident decisions.

At Health Insider, we’ll continue to connect the dots—so you not only know what’s happening, but why it matters to your health and future in Panama.

👉 Catch up on past editions of Panama Health Insider and never miss a key update: newsletter.panamalifehub.com

Source: laboratorioraly.com/promociones.html