Wednesday, 21 Jamadilawal 1447H / 12 November 2025 – The Ministry of Health held the 40th Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Product Working Group (PPWG) and its Related Meetings was held at The Rizqun International Hotel, Brunei Darussalam, from 10 to 14 November 2025.
The event gathers together over 60 participants comprising delegates from ASEAN Member States, dialogue partners and representatives from the pharmaceutical industry, with the aim of advancing regional collaboration in the area of pharmaceutical products.
The Opening Ceremony and Welcoming Dinner was held this evening at the Songket Hall 1, Rizqun International Hotel. Present as the Guest of Honour at the event was Dr Hajah Rafidah binti Haji Gharif, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health.
The evening commenced with the arrival of guests and participants, followed by cultural performances that highlighted Brunei Darussalam’s rich heritage. The Chair of the ASEAN Pharmaceutical Product Working Group (PPWG), Dr Theingi Zin, Deputy Director General, Department of Food and Drug Administration, Myanmar, delivered welcoming remarks, followed by a speech by the Guest of Honour.
In her remarks, the Guest of Honour welcomed all participants and reaffirmed Brunei Darussalam’s commitment to regional health cooperation and regulatory excellence. She also underscored the importance of harmonising pharmaceutical standards within ASEAN to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of medical products.
The evening continued with a souvenir presentation ceremony, group photo session, and dinner, accompanied by country and cultural performances by participating ASEAN Member States, symbolising regional friendship and unity.
The 40th PPWG Meeting was chaired by Dr Theingi Zin, Deputy Director General, Department of Food and Drug Administration, Myanmar. The Brunei Darussalam delegation was led by Dayang Hajah Zanatul ‘Aini binti Haji Zainin, Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health, and included several officers from the Department of Pharmaceutical Services.
The Pharmaceutical Product Working Group (PPWG), established under the ASEAN Consultative Committee for Standards and Quality (ACCSQ), plays a vital role in supporting ASEAN’s economic integration while ensuring that pharmaceutical products meet high standards of safety, efficacy, and quality.
The meeting serves as a platform to discuss mutual recognition arrangements, regulatory convergence, and strategies to address emerging challenges in the pharmaceutical sector. It also deliberates on the Post-2025 Work Plan aligned with the ACCSQ Sectoral Plan 2026–2030, which will serve as a roadmap for continued harmonisation and resilient regulatory systems in the region.
The outcomes of this meeting are expected to shape the future of pharmaceutical standards in ASEAN, reflecting the region’s continued dedication to public health, innovation, regulatory cooperation and excellence.
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Date: 21 Jamadilawal 1447H / 12 November 2025
Reference: KK/JDP/ PR 3
