Speeches
Welcome Remarks by A/Prof John Lim, CEO, Health Sciences Authority at HSA's Inaugural Excellent Stakeholder & Partnership Awards
Audiences
Consumer
Healthcare professional
Industry member
Product type
Others
6 November 2013
This article has been migrated from an earlier version of the site and may display formatting inconsistencies.
Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower
Distinguished Award Recipients,
Fellow Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1 It is my great pleasure to welcome all of you to this inaugural Excellent Stakeholder and Partnership Awards (ESPA) ceremony organised by HSA's Health Products Regulation Group (HPRG). I would also like to say a special word of thanks to our Guest-of-Honour, SMS Dr Amy Khor for taking the time to join us this afternoon and for her strong support for HPRG's stakeholder engagement efforts.
Objectives of ESPA
2 A key part of HSA's mission is to wisely regulate health products, to ensure the safety, quality and efficacy of all health products in Singapore. Over the years, HSA has established a robust risk-based and balanced health products regulatory framework to ensure that this goal is met.
3 All this would not have been possible if the national regulator was working in isolation. The high quality and safety standards of health products in Singapore reflect the strong partnerships established over the years with the different stakeholders gathered and represented here today. You have been exemplary in helping to ensure the safety of patients and consumers in Singapore, regardless of whether you are an industry member manufacturing or supplying medicines or medical devices, a healthcare professional dispensing or advising on the use of health products, or a member of a law enforcement agency helping to stamp out the supply of illegal medicines.
4 It is our collective efforts that enable patients and consumers in Singapore to be assured that health products they obtain from legitimate sources are indeed safe and of good quality. While this is a basic and reasonable expectation, we know that sadly, this is not always the case around the world. This should not only cause us to appreciate and celebrate what we have already achieved, but inspire us to continue working together to further enhance our national health products regulatory system for the good of our public.
5 It is therefore timely for us to take this significant step to recognise and encourage exemplary efforts and teamwork from our stakeholders in safeguarding public health and safety. We would also like to honour and show our appreciation to those who have contributed significantly in enhancing health products regulations over the years. Following this inaugural ceremony, the aim will be to present these awards on a biennial basis.
Effective Stakeholder Engagement
6 To reflect our commitment to intensify our engagement with key stakeholders, most of you would be aware that HPRG has created a Service Management and Industry Development Office (SMiDO) to work closely with all of you to further advance our partnership and collaborative efforts. The initiatives rolled out by HPRG include the appointment of hospital liaison officers; the NEX2US newsletter produced three times a year; our annual Health Products Regulatory Conferences; continual stakeholder consultations and engagement; and of course, this award ceremony.
7 The ESPA is an achievement that you can be proud of, as it marks a special recognition for your efforts and hard work in contributing to Singapore's public health and safety. Each and every stakeholder plays a critical role in ensuring that our health products regulatory framework is well balanced, avoiding over- or under-regulation.
8 Given our dynamic operating environment and rapid advances in technology, achieving an optimal balance will continue to be a challenge. It will require us to always keep on refining our systems and frameworks. But as we work together, we are much better placed to collectively achieve smart and sound regulation that will ensure public health and safety.
9 Many of you have journeyed with us since the inception of HSA 12 years ago, and we thank you for your steadfast collaboration and contribution. Some of you have partnered us more recently, and we also thank you for your enthusiasm and commitment.
Overview of ESPA
10 There are sixty-two (62) award recipients at this inaugural event. The awards fall under two major categories – (a) those recognising stakeholders who have worked closely with HSA in key projects to protect public health and safety, and (b) awards appreciating excellent stakeholder partners and those who have given of their time in HPRG's advisory committees and expert panels.
11 Under the first group, we are recognising forty-one (41) recipients of the “Excellent Team Player Awards”. This recognises their extensive efforts in working closely with HPRG in nine (9) projects aimed at enhancing protection of public health and safety.
12 The second “Appreciation Awards Category” comprises two sub-categories of awards. Through the ‘Excellent Partnership Award', we would like to show our appreciation to 11 deserving organisations that have consistently demonstrated their commitment as dedicated partners of HPRG. We would also like to express our appreciation to 10 distinguished and respected healthcare experts who have given much of their time as Chairmen or Deputy Chairmen of HPRG's advisory committees and expert panels. Their selfless involvement has allowed HPRG to make better scientific and regulatory decisions over the years.
Conclusion
13 May I extend my heartiest congratulations to all the ESPA Award winners and convey HSA's deepest thanks for all your contributions. I look forward to more good and fruitful years of partnership with all of you and all our stakeholders as we pursue our goal of advancing and protecting national health and safety through the wise regulation of health products in Singapore.
14 Thank you.