Prioritise your wellbeing in the world of healthcare
To ensure your safety, the Ministry of Health (MOH) takes a risk-based approach to regulate healthcare professionals and services, including hospitals, clinics, laboratories and nursing homes. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA), on the other hand, oversees the safety, quality and efficacy of health products such as medicines, medical devices and supplements.
This means that there are stricter regulations for products and services posing a higher risk of harm, while those considered generally safe are subject to fewer or no regulation.
Stay informed to stay safe
You can protect yourself by making informed decisions when buying or using health products and services.
Stay safe by avoiding deals that promise quick results or offerings which are too good to be true. These deals may involve poorly manufactured products or services provided by unqualified personnel. Your health matters so here are some tips to help you make a better decision.
What to do:
- Buy your medicines from licensed clinics, pharmacies and established retail stores.
- Check that services are provided by a registered healthcare professional or licensed healthcare services.
- Discuss with your doctor or dentist if you have questions about your health, or your loved ones’ health.
How government agencies protect you
- The Ministry of Health licenses healthcare services
- The Health Sciences Authority regulates health products
- The Health Professional Boards and Councils, such as the Allied Health Professions Council, the Singapore Dental Council, the Singapore Medical Council, the Optometrists & Opticians Board, the Singapore Nursing Board, the Singapore Pharmacy Council and traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Practitioners Board registers and regulates the conduct and practice of the respective healthcare professionals
- The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) manages unfair and unethical trade practices
- The Singapore Police Force takes action under the Penal Code for crimes like fraud, impersonation or theft
Regulated Health Products
The Health Sciences Authority regulates the following health products:
- Complementary health products
- Cosmetic products
- Medical devices
- Therapeutic products or medicines
- Advanced therapy products
- Active pharmaceutical Ingredients
These products are used by healthcare professionals, and some of these products can also be purchased from pharmacies and retail stores.
Regulated Healthcare Professions
Our healthcare professionals, such as doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, optometrists, opticians, allied health professionals, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners are also regulated by their respective Professional Councils and Boards which:
a. Maintain registers accessible by the public to search for registered professionals
b. Govern and regulate the conduct and ethics of registered professionals
For more information on registered healthcare professionals, please click on the links below:
Licenced Healthcare Services
MOH licenses healthcare services too, which includes hospitals, medical and dental clinics, telemedicine providers, clinical and X-ray laboratories, and nursing homes under the Healthcare Services Act (HCSA). You may search for licensed healthcare services here.
Contributed By
- Ministry of Health