The Government gazetted a bill on 13 November proposing to establish the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation as a statutory body, as part of a reorganisation of medicines regulation that would also prepare for medical-device regulation under future legislation.
Under the proposal, relevant powers and functions over Chinese and Western medicines, now spread across the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong and the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong, would be transferred to the Director of Health. The proposed transfer would also cover medical-device regulation once separate legislation is enacted.
The centre would represent Hong Kong in international regulatory affairs and develop formal, long-term working relationships with international regulators.
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau described the centre’s creation as a milestone in regulatory reform. He said the Government aimed to establish a more proactive system for assessing and approving medicines and devices, bring advanced products to Hong Kong sooner and benefit patients. It also wants the centre to gain international recognition.
The bill is scheduled for its first reading in the Legislative Council on 25 November 2026.