As of the end of February 2026, the number of designated medical institutions under the "Hong Kong and Macao Medicine and Equipment Connect" (HKMEC) has reached 71, achieving full coverage across all nine mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), with 153 drug and device products marketed in Hong Kong and Macao now introduced (including 66 pharmaceutical products and 87 medical devices).
On March 30, the Guangzhou Municipal Health Commission issued the Notice on Ten Measures for the In-depth Implementation of the Hong Kong and Macao Medicine and Equipment Connect. On the same day, the Guangzhou Municipal Healthcare Security Bureau released the Notice on Further Supporting the Development of Innovative Drugs and Devices, specifying that HKMEC products shall not be counted toward the out-of-pocket rate indicator for basic medical insurance. What positive implications will these new measures have for the rollout of innovative drugs and devices in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao region? We will walk you through the latest measures below.
Ten New Incentive Measures under the HKMEC
To further unleash the policy potential of the HKMEC Policy, better align with Guangzhou's international healthcare development needs, strengthen cooperation with multinational pharmaceutical and device companies, and benefit more patients, the following ten measures for in-depth policy implementation have been formulated.
I. Comprehensively Enhancing Policy Influence and Regional Synergy
(i) Establish a normalized tripartite cooperation mechanism among Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Macao.
Building on the HKMEC Specialized Committee of the Guangzhou Hospital Association, and in collaboration with relevant industry associations and key medical institutions in Hong Kong and Macao, a quarterly consultation and cooperation mechanism shall be established - focusing on core areas including drug and device regulatory policy, introduction of innovative drugs and devices, and standardized clinical application - to strengthen cross-regional business linkage and standards alignment.
(ii) Conduct diverse forms of policy publicity and science popularization.
Through channels including official website publications, hospital-based public education, and industry training, and in coordination with mainstream provincial and municipal media, thematic publicity campaigns focusing on patient benefits and clinical outcomes shall be conducted; at least two rounds of policy and practice training for designated medical institutions and multinational pharmaceutical and device companies across the city shall be organized annually; no fewer than four policy promotion and exchange activities shall be held annually in coordination with relevant departments.
(iii) Build the HKMEC healthcare service brand.
Through hosting and participating in trade fairs such as the Guangzhou Medical and Health Industry Expo, the Canton Fair, and the China International Import Expo (CIIE), with dedicated thematic exhibition areas and sub-forums - and through achievement panels, physical displays, and project listing releases - the Policy's outcomes, innovative achievements, cooperation opportunities, and Guangzhou's international healthcare and specialty medical advantages shall be presented, building the HKMEC healthcare service brand.
II. Fostering an Organic Loop Between Drug and Device R&D and Clinical Application
(iv) Strengthen strategic alignment and services for enterprises.
Leading and innovative multinational pharmaceutical and device companies shall be proactively engaged with. HKMEC information and clinical application scenarios shall be disseminated, and companies shall be guided in aligning their innovative drug and device R&D pipelines and market authorization plans with the Policy and the city's medical needs. Services, including clinical matchmaking, real-world research, and achievement transformation, shall be provided to attract more globally advanced drugs and devices for application in Guangzhou.
(v) Build a high-quality real-world research collaborative network.
Designated medical institutions shall be selected to form an HKMEC Real-World Research Demonstration Alliance. Standardized norms for research design, data governance, methodology, and pharmacoeconomics shall be established and improved. Furthermore, the conversion of real-world evidence into clinical pathway optimization, drug and device registration, and medical insurance coverage decisions shall be promoted.
(vi) Launch a special initiative to upgrade and expand drug and device introduction.
A drug and device selection mechanism guided by "clinical needs orientation, expert evaluation and deliberation, and departmental coordination and promotion" shall be established, with a focus on priority therapeutic areas to accelerate the introduction of innovative drugs and devices that are urgently needed clinically, demonstrably effective, and eagerly anticipated by patients. In alignment with Guangzhou's key specialties and priority disease profiles, two or more drug and device "hit products" with outstanding clinical value shall be selected and cultivated. The creation of demonstration application scenarios shall be prioritized to be progressively scaled up, and exemplary cases shall be used to broaden the supply of high-quality drugs and devices.
(vii) Explore establishing a normalized interface mechanism between HKMEC-approved drugs and devices and innovative drug and device in-hospital applications.
The in-hospital application interface for formerly HKMEC-approved products shall be streamlined. For drugs and devices originally covered under the Policy that have subsequently obtained domestic marketing authorization, a simplified admission process shall be adopted - following the model of Guangzhou's innovative drug and device catalogue. Simultaneously, they shall be incorporated into clinical application coordination, with priority given to procurement and specialist promotion, facilitating a smooth transition from designated use to routine application.
III. Strengthening Full-Process Management and Service Support
(viii) Drive the formation of standardized and normalized management mechanisms.
The experience of designated medical institutions in drug and device procurement, approval, storage, and use shall be consolidated and refined. Expert consensus documents in the areas of management norms, operational guidelines, and technical standards shall be formed, and replicable institutional outcomes shall be promoted. A fast-track ethics review mechanism for HKMEC cases shall be established at designated medical institutions. Oversight of clinical drug and device applications, adverse event monitoring, and risk management shall be strengthened to ensure the Policy operates in a compliant, safe, and efficient manner.
(ix) Explore innovative incentive and support mechanisms for the clinical use of innovative drugs and devices.
For innovative drugs and devices with outstanding clinical value that currently have no domestic substitute, designated medical institutions shall be encouraged to optimize their internal management and resource allocation, and detailed incentive and support rules compatible with the clinical application of innovative drugs and devices shall be developed. Policy support from higher authorities shall be actively sought to stimulate enthusiasm for the introduction and standardized clinical use of innovative drugs and devices.
(x) Improve payment coverage and cross-border settlement facilitation policies.
Designated medical institutions shall be supported in partnering with insurance providers to include Hong Kong- and Macao-sourced pharmaceutical and device products in city-customized commercial health insurance. A multi-tiered payment model of "basic medical insurance + commercial insurance + social assistance" shall be explored. Drawing on the experience of Shenzhen-Hong Kong settlement arrangements, bank settlement for cross-border medical expenses shall be standardized, centralized processing of overseas insurance claims shall be supported, mainstream international electronic payment options shall be expanded, and the smooth operation of the Policy shall be ensured.
Accelerating the Rollout of Innovative Drugs and Devices
On March 23, 2026, the cardiology team of Prof. Jing Zhicheng and Prof. Zhang Qianhuan at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital successfully completed the first clinical application of an absorbable antibacterial envelope at the hospital, leveraging the HKMEC. This marks another significant milestone for Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital - as a designated medical institution under the HKMEC - in actively introducing cutting-edge international medical devices, representing a demonstrative step forward in the hospital's efforts in infection prevention and control for cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs).
In fact, on December 8, 2025, the Guangdong Health Commission and the Guangdong Medical Products Administration (GDMPA) released the list of the fourth batch of designated medical institutions under the HKMEC. To date, the Policy has benefited approximately 17,000 patient visits.
On February 2, 2026, the GDMPA and the Guangdong Health Commission jointly issued the Catalogue of Clinically Urgently Needed Hong Kong and Macao Drugs and Medical Devices Imported for the Nine Mainland Cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (2025 Edition), which includes a total of 115 pharmaceutical and medical device items - 45 pharmaceutical products and 70 medical devices.
It is further reported that the GDMPA recently issued formal approvals for applications submitted by Shenzhen University General Hospital: two medical devices - a glaucoma drainage system and an appetite-suppressing intragastric balloon system - and three allergen immunotherapy preparations - domestic dog epithelium allergen sublingual spray, domestic cat epithelium allergen sublingual spray, and house dust mite and farina dust mite allergen sublingual spray - have successfully obtained approval under the HKMEC.
From the medical insurance perspective, the Guangzhou Municipal Healthcare Security Bureau has proposed further optimizing the monitoring mechanism for innovative drug and device use, incorporating nationally negotiated drugs, products listed in the innovative drug and device catalogue, and HKMEC products into the monitoring and reporting scope; products in the innovative drug and device catalogue and HKMEC products shall not be counted toward the out-of-pocket rate indicator for basic medical insurance. The pilot scope of the "Medical Insurance Drug Cloud Platform" will be deepened and broadened to encompass commercially insured innovative drugs, innovative drug and device products, and HKMEC products, expanding the platform's application scenarios to provide more precise drug and device information query services and promote the clinical use of innovative drugs and devices.
This package of policy measures opens up broad prospects for innovative drugs and devices - the Newspaper will continue to follow and report on developments.
Source: Medicine Economic Reporter
On March 30, the Guangzhou Municipal Health Commission issued the Notice on Ten Measures for the In-depth Implementation of the Hong Kong and Macao Medicine and Equipment Connect. On the same day, the Guangzhou Municipal Healthcare Security Bureau released the Notice on Further Supporting the Development of Innovative Drugs and Devices, specifying that HKMEC products shall not be counted toward the out-of-pocket rate indicator for basic medical insurance. What positive implications will these new measures have for the rollout of innovative drugs and devices in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao region? We will walk you through the latest measures below.
Ten New Incentive Measures under the HKMEC
To further unleash the policy potential of the HKMEC Policy, better align with Guangzhou's international healthcare development needs, strengthen cooperation with multinational pharmaceutical and device companies, and benefit more patients, the following ten measures for in-depth policy implementation have been formulated.
I. Comprehensively Enhancing Policy Influence and Regional Synergy
(i) Establish a normalized tripartite cooperation mechanism among Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Macao.
Building on the HKMEC Specialized Committee of the Guangzhou Hospital Association, and in collaboration with relevant industry associations and key medical institutions in Hong Kong and Macao, a quarterly consultation and cooperation mechanism shall be established - focusing on core areas including drug and device regulatory policy, introduction of innovative drugs and devices, and standardized clinical application - to strengthen cross-regional business linkage and standards alignment.
(ii) Conduct diverse forms of policy publicity and science popularization.
Through channels including official website publications, hospital-based public education, and industry training, and in coordination with mainstream provincial and municipal media, thematic publicity campaigns focusing on patient benefits and clinical outcomes shall be conducted; at least two rounds of policy and practice training for designated medical institutions and multinational pharmaceutical and device companies across the city shall be organized annually; no fewer than four policy promotion and exchange activities shall be held annually in coordination with relevant departments.
(iii) Build the HKMEC healthcare service brand.
Through hosting and participating in trade fairs such as the Guangzhou Medical and Health Industry Expo, the Canton Fair, and the China International Import Expo (CIIE), with dedicated thematic exhibition areas and sub-forums - and through achievement panels, physical displays, and project listing releases - the Policy's outcomes, innovative achievements, cooperation opportunities, and Guangzhou's international healthcare and specialty medical advantages shall be presented, building the HKMEC healthcare service brand.
II. Fostering an Organic Loop Between Drug and Device R&D and Clinical Application
(iv) Strengthen strategic alignment and services for enterprises.
Leading and innovative multinational pharmaceutical and device companies shall be proactively engaged with. HKMEC information and clinical application scenarios shall be disseminated, and companies shall be guided in aligning their innovative drug and device R&D pipelines and market authorization plans with the Policy and the city's medical needs. Services, including clinical matchmaking, real-world research, and achievement transformation, shall be provided to attract more globally advanced drugs and devices for application in Guangzhou.
(v) Build a high-quality real-world research collaborative network.
Designated medical institutions shall be selected to form an HKMEC Real-World Research Demonstration Alliance. Standardized norms for research design, data governance, methodology, and pharmacoeconomics shall be established and improved. Furthermore, the conversion of real-world evidence into clinical pathway optimization, drug and device registration, and medical insurance coverage decisions shall be promoted.
(vi) Launch a special initiative to upgrade and expand drug and device introduction.
A drug and device selection mechanism guided by "clinical needs orientation, expert evaluation and deliberation, and departmental coordination and promotion" shall be established, with a focus on priority therapeutic areas to accelerate the introduction of innovative drugs and devices that are urgently needed clinically, demonstrably effective, and eagerly anticipated by patients. In alignment with Guangzhou's key specialties and priority disease profiles, two or more drug and device "hit products" with outstanding clinical value shall be selected and cultivated. The creation of demonstration application scenarios shall be prioritized to be progressively scaled up, and exemplary cases shall be used to broaden the supply of high-quality drugs and devices.
(vii) Explore establishing a normalized interface mechanism between HKMEC-approved drugs and devices and innovative drug and device in-hospital applications.
The in-hospital application interface for formerly HKMEC-approved products shall be streamlined. For drugs and devices originally covered under the Policy that have subsequently obtained domestic marketing authorization, a simplified admission process shall be adopted - following the model of Guangzhou's innovative drug and device catalogue. Simultaneously, they shall be incorporated into clinical application coordination, with priority given to procurement and specialist promotion, facilitating a smooth transition from designated use to routine application.
III. Strengthening Full-Process Management and Service Support
(viii) Drive the formation of standardized and normalized management mechanisms.
The experience of designated medical institutions in drug and device procurement, approval, storage, and use shall be consolidated and refined. Expert consensus documents in the areas of management norms, operational guidelines, and technical standards shall be formed, and replicable institutional outcomes shall be promoted. A fast-track ethics review mechanism for HKMEC cases shall be established at designated medical institutions. Oversight of clinical drug and device applications, adverse event monitoring, and risk management shall be strengthened to ensure the Policy operates in a compliant, safe, and efficient manner.
(ix) Explore innovative incentive and support mechanisms for the clinical use of innovative drugs and devices.
For innovative drugs and devices with outstanding clinical value that currently have no domestic substitute, designated medical institutions shall be encouraged to optimize their internal management and resource allocation, and detailed incentive and support rules compatible with the clinical application of innovative drugs and devices shall be developed. Policy support from higher authorities shall be actively sought to stimulate enthusiasm for the introduction and standardized clinical use of innovative drugs and devices.
(x) Improve payment coverage and cross-border settlement facilitation policies.
Designated medical institutions shall be supported in partnering with insurance providers to include Hong Kong- and Macao-sourced pharmaceutical and device products in city-customized commercial health insurance. A multi-tiered payment model of "basic medical insurance + commercial insurance + social assistance" shall be explored. Drawing on the experience of Shenzhen-Hong Kong settlement arrangements, bank settlement for cross-border medical expenses shall be standardized, centralized processing of overseas insurance claims shall be supported, mainstream international electronic payment options shall be expanded, and the smooth operation of the Policy shall be ensured.
Accelerating the Rollout of Innovative Drugs and Devices
On March 23, 2026, the cardiology team of Prof. Jing Zhicheng and Prof. Zhang Qianhuan at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital successfully completed the first clinical application of an absorbable antibacterial envelope at the hospital, leveraging the HKMEC. This marks another significant milestone for Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital - as a designated medical institution under the HKMEC - in actively introducing cutting-edge international medical devices, representing a demonstrative step forward in the hospital's efforts in infection prevention and control for cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs).
In fact, on December 8, 2025, the Guangdong Health Commission and the Guangdong Medical Products Administration (GDMPA) released the list of the fourth batch of designated medical institutions under the HKMEC. To date, the Policy has benefited approximately 17,000 patient visits.
On February 2, 2026, the GDMPA and the Guangdong Health Commission jointly issued the Catalogue of Clinically Urgently Needed Hong Kong and Macao Drugs and Medical Devices Imported for the Nine Mainland Cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (2025 Edition), which includes a total of 115 pharmaceutical and medical device items - 45 pharmaceutical products and 70 medical devices.
It is further reported that the GDMPA recently issued formal approvals for applications submitted by Shenzhen University General Hospital: two medical devices - a glaucoma drainage system and an appetite-suppressing intragastric balloon system - and three allergen immunotherapy preparations - domestic dog epithelium allergen sublingual spray, domestic cat epithelium allergen sublingual spray, and house dust mite and farina dust mite allergen sublingual spray - have successfully obtained approval under the HKMEC.
From the medical insurance perspective, the Guangzhou Municipal Healthcare Security Bureau has proposed further optimizing the monitoring mechanism for innovative drug and device use, incorporating nationally negotiated drugs, products listed in the innovative drug and device catalogue, and HKMEC products into the monitoring and reporting scope; products in the innovative drug and device catalogue and HKMEC products shall not be counted toward the out-of-pocket rate indicator for basic medical insurance. The pilot scope of the "Medical Insurance Drug Cloud Platform" will be deepened and broadened to encompass commercially insured innovative drugs, innovative drug and device products, and HKMEC products, expanding the platform's application scenarios to provide more precise drug and device information query services and promote the clinical use of innovative drugs and devices.
This package of policy measures opens up broad prospects for innovative drugs and devices - the Newspaper will continue to follow and report on developments.
Source: Medicine Economic Reporter