Hong Kong Expands "1+" Mechanism for Drug Registration and Approval

Strategic Insights -

Hong Kong's Secretary for Health, Prof Lo Chung-mau, has announced the expansion of the "1+" mechanism for drug registration and approval from November, aiming to provide patients with more choices of drugs at lower costs. The new mechanism will cover all new chemical entities, including vaccines and advanced therapy products, allowing for faster and more efficient registration and approval. This move is expected to promote the development of research and development (R&D) in the region, particularly in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Key Takeaways:

  • The "1+" mechanism will be expanded to cover all new chemical entities, including vaccines and advanced therapy products.
  • The new mechanism will allow for faster and more efficient registration and approval, providing patients with more choices of drugs at lower costs.
  • Advanced therapy products will include self-therapy or gene therapy, which involve processing patients' own blood for treatment of very advanced cancers or diseases.
  • The expansion will promote the development of R&D in the region, particularly in the GBA.
  • Pharmaceuticals companies will benefit from a "green channel" for use of approved and registered drugs and devices in the GBA.
  • The measure will be attractive for pharmaceutical companies, allowing them to tap into the 68 million population in the GBA.

Statistics:

  • The new "1+" mechanism will cover all new chemical entities, including vaccines and advanced therapy products.
  • 68 million is the population in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
  • The "1+" mechanism aims to provide patients with more choices of drugs at lower costs.
  • The expansion is expected to promote the development of R&D in the region, particularly in the GBA.
  • Advanced therapy products will include self-therapy or gene therapy, which involve processing patients' own blood for treatment of very advanced cancers or diseases.

Sources:

  • M2 Presswire, October 28, 2024, New medicines plan explained - M2 Communications