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Product Regulation & Liability

Singapore: Ministry of Health announces reforms to the industry with updates to the regime under the Healthcare Services Act

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In brief

On 7 March 2025, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced a host of changes to the healthcare system to address the shifting needs of the Singapore population. These changes included a review of advertising regulations for certain healthcare professionals, the recognition of family medicine as a medical specialty and the introduction of registration requirements for psychologists. 

In more detail

Recognition of family medicine as a medical specialty

Family medicine will be formally recognized as a medical specialty in Singapore. This will allow family doctors with the requisite qualifications to be recognized as family medicine specialists. The move acknowledges the importance of family doctors in providing comprehensive care to patients with complex care needs. To become a family medicine specialist, a family doctor will have to undergo advanced training. Details of the training requirements and entry criteria will be released later this year.

Registration requirements for psychologists

The MOH has announced a registration requirement for psychologists to practice in Singapore. This move comes amid concerns over patient safety as more psychologists practice in private and community sectors. This registry is in the process of being implemented by an interagency committee consisting of practitioners and service providers.

Review of advertising regulations for selected healthcare professionals

The MOH will reassess advertising requirements to allow more healthcare professionals to promote their services.

To prevent the public from being misled by services that are not licensed by the MOH, the Healthcare Services Act (HCSA) prohibits advertisements by service providers stating that they are able to “treat” a medical condition, unless they are a licensable service under the HCSA.

This prohibition will be reviewed to enable professionals listed in the First Schedule of the Allied Health Professions Act (which includes clinical psychologists and speech therapists) and professions regulated under other professional acts or professional organizations (which includes traditional Chinese medicine practitioners) to advertise their services safely and appropriately, even though the services are not licensable under the HCSA.

The professionals will still have to adhere to the existing and clear standards of practice set by their professional associations and with advertising requirements under the HCSA.

Further details will be shared once ready.

Key takeaways

The changes announced by the MOH signal a recalibration of the healthcare system in Singapore based on the changing needs of the population. In particular, Singapore is paying special attention to the issues of an aging population and an increasing awareness of mental health. These changes suggest that the government has an increased focus on holistic care in the healthcare system. Further changes aimed at allowing for more comprehensive and coordinated healthcare services can be expected in the future. 

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Andy Leck is the head of the Intellectual Property and Technology (IPTech) Practice Group and a member of the Dispute Resolution Practice Group in Singapore. He is a core member of Baker McKenzie's regional IP practice and also leads the Myanmar IP Practice Group. Andy is recognised by reputable global industry and legal publications as a leader in his field. He was named on "The A-List: Singapore's Top 100 lawyers" by Asia Business Law Journal 2018. In addition, Chambers Asia Pacific notes that Andy is "a well-known IP practitioner who is highlighted for his record of handling major trade mark litigation, as well as commercial exploitation of IP rights in the media and technology sectors. He's been in the industry for a long time and has always been held in high regard. He is known to be very fair and is someone you would like to be in the trenches with you during negotiations." Furthermore, Asian Legal Business acknowledges Andy as a leading practitioner in his field and notes that he “always gives good, quick advice, [is] client-focused and has strong technical knowledge for his areas of practice.” Andy was appointed by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) as an IP Adjudicator to hear disputes at IPOS for a two-year term from April 2021. He has been an appointed member of the Singapore Copyright Tribunal since May 2010 and a mediator with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center. He is also appointed as a Notary Public & Commissioner for Oaths in Singapore. He previously served on the International Trademark Association’s Board of Directors and was a member of the executive committee.

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Ren Jun Lim is a principal with Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow. He represents local and international clients in both contentious and non-contentious intellectual property matters. He also advises on a full range of healthcare, as well as consumer goods-related legal and regulatory issues. Ren Jun co-leads Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow's Healthcare as well as Consumer Goods & Retail industry groups. He sits on the Law Society of Singapore IP Committee and on the Executive Committee of the Association of Information Security Professionals. He is also a member of the Vaccines Working Group, Singapore Association of Pharmaceutical Industries, a member of the International Trademark Association, as well as a member of the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Association. Ren Jun is ranked in the Silver tier for Individuals: Enforcement and Litigation and Individuals: Prosecution and Strategy, and a recommended lawyer for Individuals: Transactions by WTR 1000, 2020. He is also listed in Asia IP's Best 50 IP Expert, 2020, recognised as a Rising Star by Managing IP: IP Stars, 2019 and one of Singapore's 70 most influential lawyers aged 40 and under by Singapore Business Review, 2016. Ren Jun was acknowledged by WTR 1000 as a "trademark connoisseur who boasts supplementary knowledge of regulatory issues in the consumer products industry." He was also commended by clients for being "very responsive to enquiries and with a keen eye for detail, he is extremely hands-on. His meticulous and in-depth approach to strategising is key to the excellent outcomes we enjoy."

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