On 17 July 2023, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) proposed the new regulation for active ingredients under the Health Products Act.
Against the increasing complexity in the manufacturing and supply chain of active ingredients, streamlined and risk-based regulatory controls will ensure that active ingredients consistently meet appropriate quality standards. The HSA has therefore seen the need to consolidate and enhance regulatory controls for active ingredients under the Health Products Act.
On 27 July 2023, the Ministry of Health announced the rebranding of Singapore’s health tech agency, formerly known as the Integrated Health Information Systems to Synapxe.
The Ministry of Health also outlined five key priorities of Synapxe, namely: (i) national repository for patients’ medical records; (ii) system for remote healthcare; (iii) national billing system; (iv) strong cyber and data security; and (v) looking into the future and exploring possibilities, such as generative artificial intelligence.
On 18 July 2023, the PDPC issued two public consultation papers, seeking views on: (a) the proposed clarifications on how the PDPA applies to the collection and use of personal data to develop and deploy artificial intelligence (AI) systems that embed machine learning models used to make decisions, recommendations or predictions; and (b) the proposed Advisory Guidelines on the PDPA for children’s personal data, covering issues such as obtaining children’s consent, using children’s personal data and according higher standards of protection to children’s personal data.
In a recent decision by the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) in Re Fullerton Healthcare Group Pte Limited and Agape CP Holdings Pte Ltd [2023] SGPDPC 5, the PDPC found that the respondents breached the protection obligation under the Personal Data Protection Act and ordered each of them to pay a financial penalty.
The Online Criminal Harms Bill was passed in parliament on 5 July 2023, after its second reading. The bill follows a suite of legislation aimed at protecting the public from harms in the online space and introduces mechanisms for authorities to more effectively tackle online criminal activity.
On 3 July 2023, the Monetary Authority of Singapore announced new investor protection measures for Digital Payment Token service providers. These measures are introduced following the MAS’s October 2022 public consultation on proposed regulatory measures to enhance investor protection and market integrity in Digital Payment Token services.
Phase 2 of the Healthcare Services Act 2020 (HCSA) has been implemented with effect from 26 June 2023. Under Phase 2, medical or dental healthcare providers who deliver services outside the premises of clinics and via teleconsultation will be required to hold a HCSA license, along with service providers offering outpatient medical and dental services, nuclear medicine, and outpatient renal dialysis, among others.
In June 2023, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) participated in a one-week INTERPOL-led, internet-based operation involving 16 member countries targeting the sale of illegal health products. The HSA announced that it had removed over 2,000 listings of illegal health products from local e-commerce platforms and detected over 300 parcels shipped into Singapore from overseas containing illegal sexual enhancement products during a week of intensified surveillance from 1 June to 7 June 2023.
Baker McKenzie is proud to launch a series of webinars aimed at helping employers understand current employment trends and issues in the South East Asia region. Some of the topics discussed are Alternatives to the Traditional Employment Model, and complexities of Workforce Optimization.
On 8 May 2023, the Online Criminal Harms Bill was introduced for its first reading in the Parliament. The Bill follows a suite of legislation aimed at protecting the public from harms in the online space, and introduces mechanisms for authorities to more effectively tackle online criminal activity.