Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau and his delegation today called on the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) on the last day of their visit to Beijing.

He met NMPA Deputy Commissioner Zhao Junning to discuss further collaboration between the Mainland and Hong Kong on matters such as the approval of drugs and medical devices as well as clinical trial work.

Prof Lo also introduced the announcement of developing Hong Kong into a health and medical innovation hub by the Chief Executive in the Policy Address last month, with an aim to establish a drug approval authority based on "Primary Evaluation" in the long run.

The health chief highlighted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will leverage the city's medical strengths in a more proactive and efficient manner.

The specific measures to establish a drug approval authority based on "Primary Evaluation" in the long run include setting up a preparatory office for the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation, accession to the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use, establishing the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute, promoting clinical research and trials under the Hospital Authority as well as establishing the new “1+” mechanism for expediting the approval of new drugs.

"We anticipate to attract more local, Mainland and overseas pharmaceutical and medical device enterprises to conduct research and development and clinical trials in Hong Kong, and build up the capacity, recognition and status to ensure that the eventual approval mechanism of drugs and medical devices of Hong Kong would be widely recognised internationally and by the Mainland," Prof Lo added.

The delegation will return to Hong Kong tonight.