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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

ADAPT, EVOLVE, ADVANCE: HSA Annual Report 2021/22

In the past year, HSA continued to navigate the challenges brought along by the pandemic. Put to the test with the ever-changing situation, we grew stronger as an organisation.

By being agile and adaptable, we adopted new ways of working, to continue to advance, transform and deliver.

As we move forward, we are confident that we can overcome the challenges that come our way with what we have built and learnt. 

HSA Milestones

  • 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.
  • Cosmetic products containing mercury were prohibited, in compliance with the Minamata Convention on Mercury. 
  • Standardised packaging with enlarged graphic health warnings was rolled out for all tobacco products.
  • The Applied Sciences Group launched the Labware Laboratory Information Management System (LISA 2), successfully digitalising almost 80% of routine workflows/processes and in a move towards a paperless environment. 

    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.
  • The Food Safety Division was transferred to the Singapore Food Agency under its National Centre for Food Science on 1 Apr.
  • The minimum legal age for smoking was raised to 19, and will be progressively raised to 21 in 2021.
All milestones