In Singapore, the regulation of life sciences products is managed by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) under the Ministry of Health. The regulatory framework for medicinal products, including biologicals and medical devices, is governed by several laws, including the Health Products Act (2007), Medicines Act (1975), Poisons Act (1938), and Sale of Drugs Act (1914). The HSA oversees the regulation of therapeutic products, medical devices, cosmetics, and gene therapy products, while the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) regulates food and food supplements under the Sale of Food Act (1973). Classification as a food or health product depends on factors such as its intended use.
Key developments in Singapore’s life sciences sector include increased strategic collaborations between public sector research institutes, leading companies, and international organizations. The government is investing heavily in biomedical research, pledging S$4 billion for health and biomedical sciences under its Research, Innovation, and Enterprise plans. Precision medicine is emerging, focusing on personalized healthcare through genetic testing and AI-based technologies. Additionally, regulations for cell, tissue, and gene therapy products were introduced in 2021. Ethical concerns regarding gene editing and cell therapies are addressed by the Singapore Bioethics Advisory Committee, which emphasizes safety, standards, and international guidelines. The SFA is also exploring regulations for the commercial farming of insects for human consumption.
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