Gov’t signs pharma MOU with Portugal, eyes biotech and medical devices

The Pharmaceutical Administration Bureau (ISAF) visited Portugal from April 19 to 22, signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on pharmaceuticals and medical devices with Portugal’s National Authority of Medicines and Health Products (INFARMED).

The delegation, led by ISAF director Choi Peng Cheong, also met with the University of Lisbon’s Faculty of Pharmacy, the president of the Portuguese Pharmaceutical Society (OF), and toured elderly care facilities, biomedical technology transfer centers, and medical device manufacturers.

The visit builds on an earlier working trip in October 2025, when Macau first expressed interest in a formal cooperation agreement with the University of Lisbon’s Faculty of Pharmacy.

During the April meetings, both sides discussed regulatory requirements and potential pathways for Chinese patent medicines to enter the Portuguese and EU markets. Talks also covered herbal quality research, non-clinical safety evaluations, advanced therapy regulation, EU drug access rules, and joint talent cultivation.

The delegation met separately with the OF, and discussions focused on professional practice conditions, registration systems, continuing professional development activities, and specialist recognition systems. Both sides agreed to explore future collaboration in pharmaceutical education and specialist training pathways.

On elderly care, ISAF officials visited local geriatric pharmaceutical service institutions to examine Portugal’s latest models for managing medication in senior facilities. The inspection covered the full chain of drug management, including prescription review, dispensing, storage, distribution, and administration.

In a statement following the site visits, Choi noted that Portugal’s professional practices in geriatric pharmaceutical services provide a reference for Macau as it works to improve community and institutional drug management systems. He said ISAF would draw on Portuguese experience to raise the level of local pharmaceutical care.

The delegation also toured the Institute of Experimental Biology and Technology (iBET) in Portugal, accompanied by pharmaceutical entrepreneurs from Macau and mainland China. They inspected the center’s research platforms, technology transfer mechanisms, and operational models, focusing on biomedical R&D, production processes, quality management, and commercialization practices.

Choi said the visit offered insight into Portugal’s advanced biomedical concepts and technology transfer experience, creating opportunities for stronger Macau-Portugal cooperation in the biomedical field. Entrepreneurs exchanged views with iBET experts on scientific talent cultivation, technical cooperation, and market access.

Separately, the delegation visited a medical device company, touring its Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) production workshops and quality control laboratories to examine practices in implantable high-risk medical devices. ISAF introduced the key provisions of Macau’s new Medical Device Supervisory Management System, established under Law No. 12/2025.

Choi welcomed more Portuguese medical device companies to develop business in Macau, encouraging them to use the territory as a bridge for potential entry into the mainland Chinese market. He said ISAF would provide technical guidance and assistance to foster a favorable business environment.