Fostering scientific developments in genomics study is not comprehensive enough to integrate personalized medicine into clinical application unless the regulatory pathways are adequately defined. Realizing the potential of personalized medicine in reducing adverse drug reaction and subsequently lowering the health cost of the country, Singapore is sharpening its edge on pharmacogenomics and regulatory stream that would enable faster, accurate and timely access to new drug entrants.

Ms Amy Khor, Minister of State of the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Manpower, Singapore, stated that Singapore is designing innovative regulatory approach to implement personalized medicine in healthcare system for early prediction and arrest of diseases. Health Science Authority (HSA) of Singapore is evaluating regulatory framework and integrating capacity building to provide safe platform for personalized medicine by investing in pharmaco genetics.

Vigilance branch of health promotion group in HSA is integrating innovative surveillance network to capture information related to drug reaction and consequently analyze regulatory guidelines for personalized medicine.

Based on population genotype data, HSA has introduced surveillance mechanism to capture of relevant genetic information system. The objective is to translate the research findings into regulatory recommendation and involve stakeholders to implement clinical approaches. Currently, Singapore is implementing pharmacogenetics in two projects, serious skin rashes and drug infused liver injury.

"No drug development is possible without a harmonized collaboration between regulatory, industry and scientific fraternity. Pharmacogenetics in personalized medicine has the potential to step up the drug approval process. In addition to conventional pharmacovigilance, personalized medicine has potential to reduce adverse drug reaction in specific patient, develop drugs in a reliable way that could bring enormous impact on the healthcare market. This can subsequently translate into significant saving in our healthcare cost. The aim is to translate the findings into regulatory recommendation and implement clinical approaches to identify individuals who may be exposed to certain serious drug reactions," Ms Khor said.