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About HSA

Our mission is to wisely regulate health products, serve the administration of justice, secure the nation's blood supply and safeguard public health.

What we do

About us - Applied Sciences

Applied sciences

We serve the administration of justice with the use of forensic medicine, forensic science and analytical chemistry testing.

Blood services

We secure the nation’s blood supply by ensuring a safe and adequate blood supply for public and private hospitals.

About us - Blood services
About us - Health products regulation

Health products regulation

We regulate health products to meet standards of safety, quality and efficacy.

Our world today has grown even more volatile and unpredictable. As we navigate the challenges in our second decade with the highest scientific, professional and ethical standards, we will always remain true to our core values.

Dr Choong May Ling, Mimi, CEO of HSA Read more

Transforming for Tomorrow: HSA Annual Report 2023/24

Over the past year, we have intensified our efforts to optimise and make the most of our finite time and resources.

By streamlining our processes, reprioritising our work, and leveraging new technologies and digitalisation, we aim to become a more efficient and effective organisation that is better equipped to navigate future challenges.

Our dedication to excellence in all that we do is underscored by our focus on delivering value to our stakeholders and fulfilling our mission and vision.

HSA Milestones

  • HSA launched the first nation-wide Active Surveillance System For Adverse Reactions To Medicines And Vaccines (ASAR) application that analyses healthcare data and clinical notes from public acute hospitals to detect early safety signals and implement timely risk mitigation measures.
  • HSA implemented real-time location tracking of blood and blood products by incorporating RFID chips in the blood labels.  
  • The Bloodbank@One Punggol opens to serve the north-eastern region of Singapore.
  • HSA developed multiple Reverse Transcription-digital polymerase chain reaction assays for the quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in copy-based units, a new capability that would be useful in future pandemics.
  • HSA's COVID-19 RESPONSE
  • HSA authorised the updated Spikevax vaccine by Moderna, and updated Comirnaty vaccine by Pfizer for use in individuals aged 6 months and above.
  • HSA launched the Audit Management System for GDP and retal pharmacy inspection to digitalise GDP and pharmacy audit-related work processes.
  • The Cell Processing Laboratory was renamed as the Cell & Gene Therapy Facility and underwent infrastructural modifications to incorporate new cell manufacturing capabilities. 

  • An innovative DNA testing method was developed for cannabis plant material, which can provide >99% match to known cannabis references when tested. 

    HSA's COVID-19 RESPONSE
  • The Forensic Medicine Division conducted autopsies on suspected, positive and post-COVID cases in special Bio-safety Level 4 autopsy suites.
  • The COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma protocol for Singapore was established in collaboration with the National Centre for Infectious Diseases and Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
  • HSA granted conditional approval for Remdesivir, the first evidence-based antiviral COVID-19 treatment in Singapore.
  • The Pandemic Special Access Route (PSAR) was introduced to facilitate speedier access to critical vaccines, medicines and medical devices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • HSA was the first in Asia to authorise Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for pandemic use.
  • HSA facilitated the import and production of surgical masks, particulate respirators and protective gear in Singapore during the pandemic.
  • Subsidiary legislation to effect the implementation of cell, tissue and gene therapy products regulation was gazetted.
  • HSA implemented a first-in-the-world expert system to automatically evaluate DNA Y-STR profiles.
  • Hepatitis E testing of donated blood was included as part of our routine screening protocol.
  • In September, HSA launched DonateBlood – a mobile app for blood donors. It is an extension of Donor Portal and allows donors to easily retrieve information and access services such as appointment booking, updating particulars, health assessment form and digital donor card.

    HSA's COVID-19 RESPONSE
  • With the support from the Coroner’s Court and the Singapore Police Force, Forensic Medicine Division introduced an enhanced process to ensure safer transfer and handling of COVID-19 related deceased persons.
  • HSA was the first in Asia to authorise Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine (Spikevax) for pandemic use.
  • HSA authorised two monoclonal antibody therapies, sotrovimab and casirivimab-imdevimab, for treatment of COVID-19 infections.
  • HSA authorised the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine for pandemic use.