Secretary for Health Witnesses MOU Signing between DH and Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency to Promote Cooperation in Regulation of Medical Products

Secretary for Health witnesses MOU signing between DH and Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency to promote co-operation in regulation of medical products

The Department of Health (DH) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (September 23) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of co-operation with the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency of the Federative Republic of Brazil (i.e. Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária or ANVISA) in Hong Kong to deepen exchanges and co-operation between the two places regarding the regulation of drugs and medical devicesetc (collectively as medical products). The MOU aims to establish a high-level international exchange platform to promote the health and well-being of people.

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.

The Department of Health (DH) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region today (September 23) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of co-operation with the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency of the Federative Republic of Brazil (i.e. Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária or ANVISA) in Hong Kong to deepen exchanges and co-operation between the two places regarding the regulation of drugs and medical devices etc. The MOU aims to establish a high-level international exchange platform to promote the health and well-being of people. Photo shows the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau (centre); the Director-President of ANVISA, Mr Leandro Safatle (second left); the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (second right); the Head of International Affairs Office of ANVISA, Ms Ana Carolina Araujo (first left); and the Controller of Regulatory Affairs of the DH, Dr Fung Ying (first right), at the signing ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Department of Health of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region today (September 23) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of co-operation with the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency of the Federative Republic of Brazil (i.e. Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária or ANVISA) in Hong Kong to deepen exchanges and co-operation between the two places regarding the regulation of drugs and medical devices etc. The MOU aims to establish a high-level international exchange platform to promote the health and well-being of people. Photo shows the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau (centre) with the Director-President of ANVISA, Mr Leandro Safatle (left), and the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (right), after the signing of MOU. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Department of Health of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region today (September 23) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of co-operation with the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency of the Federative Republic of Brazil (i.e. Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária or ANVISA) in Hong Kong to deepen exchanges and co-operation between the two places regarding the regulation of drugs and medical devices etc. The MOU aims to establish a high-level international exchange platform to promote the health and well-being of people. Photo shows the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau (back row) witnessing the signing of the MOU by the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (front row, right), and the Director-President of ANVISA, Mr Leandro Safatle (front row, left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs operation combats frozen meat smuggling

Hong Kong Customs recently mounted an operation against the smuggling of frozen meat, and detected a suspected frozen meat and food smuggling case on November 3, with approximately 570 kilograms of suspected smuggled frozen meat and 500kg of suspected smuggled foodstuff seized. The total estimated market value was about $140,000, and nine persons were arrested.

Through intelligence analysis and in-depth investigations,Hong Kong Customs suspected that some persons were illegally importing frozen meat into Hong Kong from the Mainland side of Chung Ying Street in Sha Tau Kok, and distributing it to different markets and residences in urban areas afterwards. Customs officers subsequently took action on November 3 and intercepted three vehicles delivering frozen meat and foodstuff to fresh provision shops and residences in urban areas, seizing a batch of suspected smuggled frozen meat and foodstuff, including seafood, vegetables and fruits, and prepackaged food.

During the operation, Hong Kong Customs arrested eight males and one female, comprising a man suspected of illegally importing frozen meat and foodstuff into Hong Kong, four male vehicle drivers who delivered the goods to urban areas, a male fresh provision shop owner and three recipients (two males and one female). The arrestees, aged between 23 and 58, have been released on bail pending further investigation.

Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.

Under the Import and Export (General) Regulations, it is an offence to import frozen or chilled meat into Hong Kong without an import licence issued by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). An offender shall be liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

According to the Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations (Cap. 132AK), it is an offence to bring any game, meat, poultry or eggs into Hong Kong without a health certificate issued by an issuing entity of the place of origin and/or without prior written permission granted by the FEHD. An offender shall be liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months.

Under the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X), it is an offence for any person to be in possession of meat from an illegal source for sale. If there is sufficient evidence, the FEHD will initiate prosecution. An offender is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months. In addition, under the FEHD's Demerit Points System for licensed food premises, if a licensee is convicted of possessing meat for sale that comes from a slaughterhouse not approved by the FEHD or from other unapproved sources, their licence will be cancelled.

Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs operation combats frozen meat smuggling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs operation combats frozen meat smuggling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases