Singapore is setting a new benchmark in biomedical and healthcare innovation with its robust standardisation initiatives. At the 10th Anniversary of the Centre of Regulatory Excellence (CoRE) on 15 October 2024, Ms. Yang Fan, Head of CoRE-SDO, highlighted how these efforts are transforming the healthcare sector during her presentation on “Innovation, Quality, and Efficiency Through Standardisation.”

Supported by CoRE-SDO, the Biomedical and Health Standards Committee (BHSC) is spearheading efforts to develop national and international standards. These standards ensure that products and services in healthcare meet rigorous benchmarks of safety, quality, and efficiency while fostering innovation.

Key achievements highlighted during the event include the launch of SS 656:2020, the world’s first standard for miRNA-based diagnostics. Developed in collaboration with MiRXES, NUS, and A*STAR, this standard accelerates the creation of reliable medical tests for early disease detection. Additionally, SS 696:2023, which sets specifications for high-containment biosafety (BSL-3) facilities, was celebrated as a vital milestone in enhancing national preparedness against health emergencies. Another significant initiative is the development of SS 644:2019, a guideline for the secure delivery of medications. Its recent revision aims to enhance patient care by further streamlining medication delivery services.

Ms. Yang emphasised how standardisation bridges innovation and market access, promoting Singapore as a global leader in precision medicine and healthcare innovation. The event also underscored the importance of collaboration, inviting industry professionals and domain experts to actively participate in shaping the standards of tomorrow.

For more information on Singapore’s standardisation journey or to contribute to ongoing initiatives, please visit coresdo.org.