Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance in Hong Kong: A Practical Guide for Pharma & Medical Device Companies
Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance in Hong Kong Hong Kong has a distinct pharmaceutical regulatory environment that global life science companies need to understand before entering or expanding in the market. For pharmaceutical companies, the Department of Health (DH) oversees the safety, efficacy, and quality of medicines marketed in Hong Kong. Pharmaceutical products generally require registration with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board before they can be sold or distributed. At the same time, regulatory compliance does not end with product registration. Companies must consider post-market safety surveillance, regulatory changes, product information, manufacturing documentation, import and export controls, and ongoing lifecycle obligations. This is particularly important in 2026. Hong Kong has begun implementing a phased primary evaluation pathway for certain new drug applications, with Phase 1 taking effect on March 31, 2026. For global pharmaceutical and medical device organizati...