​The Department of Health (DH) today (June 5) invited senior reviewers from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Inspection of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to attend a forum called "New Chapter in Pharmaceutical Regulation: 2026 Drug Regulation and Review Trends Forum" to provide the local pharmaceutical industry with a detailed overview of the latest developments and relevant regulatory requirements regarding drug regulation and registration evaluation in the Chinese Mainland. The forum aimed to help the local industry seize opportunities to expand into the Mainland market, while fostering drug innovation and collaboration within the GBA.

     The forum was co-organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Biotechnology Limited and the Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association Limited, with the DH as the supporting organsiation. The forum featured a comprehensive programme, covering key drug regulatory legislation in the Chinese Mainland, drug registration procedures and application requirements, as well as quality and specification requirements. It helped local pharmaceutical manufacturers and agents to better understand the preparatory work required for drug registration in the Chinese Mainland, including the documents and information that need to be submitted.

     The forum attracted over 100 representatives from the local pharmaceutical sector, including manufacturers and wholesalers. Participants generally considered that the content was practical and highly valuable. Not only did it provide a clear roadmap and timeline for drug registration in the Chinese Mainland, it also significantly reduced the time and effort required for information collection and document preparation.

     Prior to the forum, a delegation from the GBA Center for Drug Evaluation and Inspection met with the staff of the DH's Drug Office yesterday (June 4) to exchange views on practical experiences in drug evaluation and inspection in the Chinese Mainland. DH staff also briefed the delegation on the initiatives of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to develop Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub; enhance the evaluation, approval and registration mechanism for drugs; implement a "primary evaluation" mechanism for new drugs; and prepare for the establishment of the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation within this year.

     The DH has been actively promoting and enhancing Hong Kong's drug regulatory standards. The NMPA and its GBA Center for Drug Evaluation and Inspection have been providing staunch support for the HKSAR's pharmaceutical regulatory efforts. The DH expressed its sincere gratitude to the delegation. Looking ahead, the DH will continue to deepen cooperation and exchanges with the drug regulatory authorities in the Chinese Mainland, support the development of Hong Kong's pharmaceutical industry, and actively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan to better integrate into and serve overall national development. At the same time, the HKSAR will leverage Hong Kong's distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world, to fulfil its role as a "super connector".

Ends/Friday, June 5, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:00

NNNN