SINGAPORE : The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has added another partner to its international network to improve drug safety.

It signed a memorandum of understanding with its Swiss counterpart, Swissmedic, on Monday.

They agreed to exchange information and collaborate on areas such as recalls of therapeutic products and the evaluation of the quality, safety and efficacy of therapeutic products.

If the Swiss authorities discover any unsafe pharmaceutical products, they will alert HSA immediately and vice versa, so action can be taken swiftly to protect the public.

It is estimated that Switzerland exports nearly S$720 million worth of pharmaceuticals and chemicals to Singapore every year.

The agreement is the latest milestone in HSA's international collaboration. The authority has similar arrangements with the US Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada's Health Products and Food Branch, Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration and China's State Food and Drug Administration.

HSA's Chief Executive, Dr John Lim, said creating such formal networks are both positive and necessary in today's world.

He said, "While individual agencies may be limited by the information and expertise that they possess, such cooperation has a multiplier effect in enhancing the abilities of collaborating authorities' to make timely, effective and scientifically-sound regulatory decisions." - CNA/ms