Secretary for Health witnesses MOU signing between DH and Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency to promote co-operation in regulation of medical products (with photos)
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Witnessed by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, and the Director-President of ANVISA, Mr Leandro Safatle, signed the MOU. Under the MOU, a mechanism will be established for information exchanges and co-operation between the two parties regarding the regulation of medicines (including biologics and traditional medicines) and medical devices etc. The aim is to jointly protect and promote the health of people in both places.
Professor Lo said, "In May this year, I held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Health of Brazil, Dr Alexandre Padilha, and the Director-President of ANVISA, Mr Leandro Safatle, during the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, which culminated in this co-operation. Transcending geographical distance, we share a common goal, and are committed to optimising the approval and regulatory regime of innovative medical products to enhance the quality of healthcare. ANVISA has achieved remarkable results in areas including the regulation of medical products. I look forward to fostering a closer collaboration between the HKSAR and Brazil to leverage synergies, and jointly advance medical innovation and the high-quality developments in the regulation of medical products."
Dr Lam said, "ANVISA is a member of both the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S) and the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH). ANVISA is highly recognised internationally and will be an important partner for the HKSAR in the regulation of medical products. The First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) sets out that Hong Kong will comprehensively intensify the regulatory reform of medical products to align with international standards, develop the capacity for independent evaluation and approval of medical products, and participate actively in international regulation of medical products to pursue recognition from international authorities. As announced in the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address, the HKSAR will accelerate the development of an international health and medical innovation hub and progressively optimise the innovative medical products industry chain. The HKSAR will establish the Centre for Medical Products Regulation (CMPR) this year. One of the key strategies of the CMPR will be to continuously deepen collaboration with the authoritative overseas medical products regulatory authorities, serving as a two-way bridge between the national and international markets. It will enable the innovative medical technologies to go global and attract foreign investment in order to promote the building of a global community of health for all. This collaboration with Brazil's ANVISA marks the first step in implementing the aforementioned strategy."
Mr Leandro Safatle noted that both Brazil and the HKSAR had long been active participants in international public health organisations, including the World Health Organization, the PIC/S and the ICH, and had established a solid foundation for co-operation. With the continuous development of innovative medical technologies, Brazil shared the common goals of both sides to optimise the regulatory approval processes for medical products and to enhance public health in various areas. Closer collaboration between the regulatory authorities could also facilitate greater interaction between the productive sectors of both places, encouraging partnerships, investment and innovation. He looked forward to continuing to strengthen the collaboration between the two places in the future, sharing regulatory experiences and technical achievements, leveraging respective strengths and working together to advance medical innovation, thereby bringing greater well-being to the people of both places.
During their stay in Hong Kong, the ANVISA delegation also visited the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK) as well as the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) to gain an in-depth understanding of the clinical services and advanced facilities at the CMHHK as well as how the GCMTI establishes internationally recognised reference standards and testing methods for Chinese medicines, thereby laying the foundation for co-operation between the two places in the development of traditional medicine.
Ends/Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:18
Issued at HKT 18:18
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