Japanese Pharmaceutical Procurement in Singapore: What Is Available and How to Order

Why Singapore Sources Pharmaceuticals from Japan

Singapore imports a significant proportion of the pharmaceutical products used in its healthcare system. As a city-state with a highly developed healthcare sector but limited domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, Singapore relies on international suppliers for a broad range of ethical medicines, specialist drugs, and hospital-use products.

Japan is a natural source country for several reasons. Japan’s pharmaceutical market is the third-largest in the world, and its approved product base includes compounds not registered in Singapore or elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Japanese manufacturers operate under PIC/S-recognised GMP standards, making their products acceptable to Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA). Beyond quality, Japan produces a number of medicines—particularly in ophthalmology, neurology, and rare disease—that are either unavailable or in limited supply in the region.

Regulatory Framework: Importing Unregistered Medicines into Singapore

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) regulates the importation of therapeutic products in Singapore under the Health Products Act. For products not registered on the Singapore Register of Therapeutic Goods (SRTG), the following pathways are available:

Special Access Route (SAR)

The Special Access Route allows licensed importers to bring in unregistered therapeutic products for specific patient needs. A licensed healthcare professional must initiate the request, and the importer must hold an appropriate HSA dealer’s licence. This is the primary pathway used for sourcing Japanese pharmaceuticals not registered in Singapore.

Clinical Trial Authorisation

For investigational products or products being evaluated in a clinical context, separate authorisation applies. Japanese pharmaceuticals that are fully approved by PMDA but unregistered in Singapore may still be accessible through this route for research institutions.

Approved Importers and Dealers

All pharmaceutical imports into Singapore must be conducted through a licensed importer holding an HSA Wholesale Dealer’s Licence (WDL). Working with an established Japan-based exporter with GDP-compliant operations and documented quality systems significantly streamlines the import process.

Categories of Japanese Pharmaceuticals Relevant to Singapore

Based on procurement enquiry patterns and Singapore’s known supply profile, the following categories show consistent demand for Japan-sourced products:

Ophthalmology

Japan has a particularly strong base of approved ophthalmic preparations—eye drops, ophthalmic ointments, and surgical adjuncts—that are used by eye hospitals and specialist clinics across Singapore and the broader region. Several of these are not registered locally and are accessed through the Special Access Route.

Neurology and Rare Disease

Treatments for spinocerebellar ataxia, myasthenia gravis, and certain metabolic disorders approved by Japan’s PMDA represent a consistent area of cross-border procurement for specialist neurology centres in Singapore.

Cardiology and Haemostasis

Certain Japanese-origin cardiovascular agents, anticoagulants, and haemostatic products are sought by Singapore hospitals, particularly where specific formulations are unavailable locally.

Oncology Supportive Care

Japanese oncology practice includes a number of supportive care agents—antiemetics, hepatoprotectives, and nutritional adjuncts—that are accessed internationally, including from Singapore-based procurement teams.

Obstetrics and Women’s Health

Prostaglandin preparations and certain hormone therapies approved in Japan are accessed by specialist obstetric and gynaecological units in Singapore under the Special Access Route.

What Documentation Is Required?

For HSA Special Access Route importation, the following documentation from the Japan-side exporter is typically required:

• Certificate of Origin (CoO): Confirms Japanese country of manufacture
• Certificate of Analysis (CoA): Batch-level quality data from the manufacturer
• Product information / Package insert: Japanese language; translation or summary may be required by the prescribing clinician
• GDP compliance documentation: Confirming storage and transport conditions
• Manufacturer GMP certificate: Confirming PIC/S-recognised manufacturing standards

How to Search for Available Products: J-Lex

J-Lex (db.tasakipharma.com) is an English-language database of Japanese approved ethical medicines operated by TASAKI PHARMA. Singapore-based procurement teams can use J-Lex to:

• Search by active ingredient, brand name, or Japanese manufacturer
• Confirm product availability, formulation, and packaging specifications
• Submit direct enquiries to TASAKI PHARMA for quotation

Procurement Process with TASAKI PHARMA

1. Search J-Lex at db.tasakipharma.com for the required product
2. Submit an enquiry with your HSA dealer’s licence details and required quantity
3. Receive a quotation on an Ex Works basis in USD, EUR, or JPY
4. Place your order based on the agreed quotation
5. Receive a Proforma Invoice; shipment prepared upon receipt of payment
6. Shipment arranged with GDP-compliant packaging, including temperature-controlled box and data logger where required

About TASAKI PHARMA

TASAKI PHARMA is a Taiwan-based pharmaceutical trading company with GDP and PIC/S GMP-compliant operations, specialising in the export of Japanese-origin pharmaceutical products to healthcare institutions in Asia-Pacific and beyond. TASAKI PHARMA has established export relationships with healthcare institutions in Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom.

For product enquiries, visit tasakipharma.com or search J-Lex at db.tasakipharma.com.