American Society of Hirudotherapy

Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile

ISP · Chile · latin america

Regulatory jurisdiction profileJurisdictional reference
Unregulatednational regulator

Chile's Public Health Institute — national reference authority for medicines and medical devices; leech-specific regulatory pathway has not been independently verified by ASH.

Regulatory Profile

Agency type
national regulator
Region
latin america
Country
Chile
Leech status
unregulated
Last ASH review
2026-05-25

Relevant Regulation Codes

  • Código Sanitario de Chile
  • ISP medical device regulatory framework

Prescriber Requirements

  • Colegio Médico de Chile-registered MD prescription required
  • Non-conventional practitioner scope for hirudotherapy not independently verified by ASH

Supply Chain & GMP

ISP product registration if classified as a medical device; Spanish-language labelling.

Import/Export Rules

ISP import authorisation plus SAG (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero) veterinary clearance for live invertebrates; CITES Appendix II paperwork.

Reimbursement Context

FONASA and ISAPRES coverage for hirudotherapy not independently verified by ASH.

ASH Editorial Notes

Chile recognises a small set of complementary medicine practices (acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy) under the Ministry of Health; whether hirudotherapy falls within those frameworks has not been independently verified by ASH.

Related Jurisdictions

This website provides educational information and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Medicinal leech therapy carries clinically meaningful risks and should be performed only by qualified clinicians under institutionally approved protocols. FDA 510(k) clearance for medicinal leeches is limited to specific indications; investigational and off-label discussions are labeled accordingly. For patient-specific guidance, consult a qualified healthcare provider.