AGP Executive Report

Biotech & Access: Junshi Biosciences signed a licensing deal with Fosun Wanbang for roconkibart (anti-IL-17A) across Greater China, including Macao—potentially shaping future treatment options for immune-related conditions. Workplace Wellness: Sands China wrapped its sixth “Happy 360 Month” campaign, rolling out AI tongue-image screening and stress/emotional wellbeing workshops for thousands of staff across its Macao properties. Public Health & Safety: LRT began installing public toilets at Union Hospital and Seac Pai Van stations, improving passenger facilities around major health and community hubs. Caregiver Support: A Down syndrome family survey in Macao found high stress and major service gaps, with low satisfaction for psychological support and urgent demand for more residential care. Health Policy & Services: The Social Security Fund ran a community outreach drive to explain welfare and Central Provident Fund-related procedures, helping residents access up-to-date benefits info. Health Governance in the GBA: Hong Kong’s DoJ launched a Greater Bay Area legal information platform covering healthcare and other daily-life needs, aiming to make cross-border guidance easier to use. Animal Welfare: Sands China executive Dr Wilfred Wong donated HK$200,000 to Anima Macau to cover shelter operating costs and medical care for hundreds of animals.

Public Health & Access: Macau’s LRT operator and DSAT have started installing public toilets at Union Hospital Station and Seac Pai Van Station, the only two LRT stops without passenger toilets, with work set to run 105 working days. Workplace Wellness: Sands China wrapped up its sixth “Happy 360 Month” campaign, reaching 7,000+ staff and rolling out AI tongue-image health screening plus workshops on stress, hearing care and emotional wellbeing. Health Policy & Regulation: A new Macau law (Law 5/2026) exempts all non-hotel restaurants and bars from the 5% tourism tax, while also simplifying licensing for dine-in food and beverage venues and music/dancing venues. Caregiver Support: A Down syndrome family survey in Macau found major gaps in psychological support, mobility access and residential care, with 96.6% of families calling for more residential facilities. Cross-border Health & Life Planning: Hong Kong’s DoJ launched a Greater Bay Area Legal Information Platform covering housing, business, work, education, family and healthcare, using a “one question, three answers” format for residents and businesses. Tech for Diversification (Health-adjacent): Macau inaugurated the Macao International Science and Technology Industry Centre, a pilot platform meant to attract high-tech firms including biomedicine and medical-related innovation.

Workplace Wellness Tech: Sands China wrapped its sixth “Happy 360 Month” employee wellness drive, bringing AI tongue-image screening to Macau properties and pairing it with stress-management roadshows. Tourism & Food Safety Policy: Macau’s new rules exempt non-hotel restaurants and bars from the 5% tourism tax starting today, alongside a simplified licensing system for dine-in venues. Local Health Services Access: Peking Union Medical College Hospital’s Macao Union Medical Center held a public open day with hospital tours plus free consultations spanning dietetics, endocrinology, dermatology, urology and neurology. Cross-Border Health Support: Hong Kong’s DoJ launched a Greater Bay Area legal platform that includes healthcare-related guidance, aiming to help residents and businesses navigate housing, work, education, family and health across Macau, Hong Kong and Guangdong. Health Risk Alert (Smuggling): Hong Kong Customs seized about $44.5m in suspected smuggling, including weight-loss injection vials and other pharmaceutical items—an ongoing reminder to watch for unsafe, unregulated products. Biomedicine & Investment Push: Macau inaugurated the Macao International Technology Industry Centre, positioning it to attract tech projects including biomedicine as the city moves toward its broader science and tech industrial park plans.

Macau Health & Policy: The Macao SAR government has exempted all non-hotel restaurants, bars and other dine-in food and beverage venues from the 5% tourism tax starting today, alongside a new licensing law (Law 5/2026) that simplifies permits for these venues and also covers music-and-dancing venues with dine-in services. Cross-border Health Access: Hong Kong’s Department of Justice launched a Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Legal Information Platform, with practical guidance across housing, business, work, education, family and healthcare, using a “one question, three answers” format for residents and operators moving across the region. Local Care Gaps: A Down syndrome caregivers survey in Macau found high stress and major support shortfalls, including low satisfaction with psychological support, mobility barriers, social discrimination, and an urgent need for more residential care facilities. Public Health & Safety: Macau reported 132 drug abuse cases in 2025, with first-time use averaging 22.8 years, as organisers push youth-focused prevention and tighter controls on e-cigarettes. Health Services Outreach: The Macao Union Medical Center (Peking Union Medical College Hospital) held an open day with hospital tours plus free consultations and lectures across multiple specialties, drawing strong public interest.

Public Health & Policy: An International Alcohol Control Online Symposium led by WHO experts reaffirmed alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen, stressing that any consumption raises risk and that the most effective policies are total consumption control, higher taxes, tighter supply, and stronger public education. Care & Disability Support: A Macau Down Syndrome Association survey found caregivers face high stress and major service gaps, with only about 20% satisfied with psychological support, mobility difficulties affecting over half, discrimination reported by nearly 40%, and 96.6% urgently calling for more residential care. Local Health Services: Peking Union Medical College Hospital’s Macao Union Medical Center held an open day with hospital tours plus free consultations and lectures, including clinical dietetics, endocrinology, dermatology, urology and neurology. Health Tech & Research Links: A new International Health Innovation & Exchange Association launched in Hong Kong with a six-point blueprint to speed up healthcare innovation translation across clinical practice, research, industry, regulation and payment systems, linking the GBA and global partners. Macau Wellness & Lifestyle: A racing driver highlighted how “clean food,” protein and high-quality carbs support training and performance, tying Macau’s gastronomy culture to sports nutrition. Drug Prevention: Macau reported 132 drug abuse cases in 2025 and a younger average age for first use (22.8), with authorities pushing stronger prevention and e-cigarette control plans. Kidney Biotech Investment: Alebund Pharmaceuticals (kidney-disease focused) listed on HKEx Main Board, signaling continued renal-focused biotech momentum in the region.

Public Health Services: The Macao Union Medical Center (Peking Union Medical College Hospital) held an open day with hospital tours plus free consultations and lectures, drawing 600+ visitors and covering specialties including clinical dietetics, endocrinology, dermatology, urology and neurology. Drug Prevention: Macau reported 132 drug abuse cases in 2025, with first-time use averaging just 22.8 years old; organisers warned that new, harder-to-detect substances are increasingly threatening young people, as local authorities push tougher tobacco and e-cigarette controls. Local Safety & Emergency Care: A 63-year-old man was hospitalized after a solo motorcycle crash on Friendship Bridge, with head contusion, nosebleed and hand/elbow lacerations; traffic police are investigating. Animal Health & Welfare: Macau’s giant panda twins “Jian Jian” and “Kang Kang” will be transferred to Chengdu in October for adulthood training and health checks, but whether they return remains unclear; Macau’s pavilion will undergo upgrades. Research & Medical Education: UM’s Faculty of Health Sciences opened its 12th Macau Symposium on Biomedical Sciences, and UM also plans new research institutes (including AI and brain sciences) to support biomedical collaboration and technology transfer. Cross-border Healthcare Innovation: A new International Health Innovation & Exchange Association launched in Hong Kong, aiming to connect clinical practice, research, industry, regulation and payment systems across the Greater Bay Area.

Drug Prevention & Youth Health: Macau reported 132 drug abuse cases in 2025, with the average age for first-time use dropping to 22.8, as officials warn new synthetic drugs and covert use (including via e-cigarettes) are making youth addiction harder to track. Public Health & Safety: A 63-year-old man was hospitalized after an apparent solo motorcycle crash on Friendship Bridge, with head contusion, nosebleed, and hand/elbow lacerations; traffic police are investigating. Healthcare Innovation in the GBA: A new International Health Innovation & Exchange Association (IHIEA) launched in Hong Kong, aiming to connect clinical practice, research, industry, regulation and payment systems to speed safe translation of medical innovations across the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. Local Health Research: University of Macau’s Faculty of Health Sciences opened its 12th Macau Symposium on Biomedical Sciences, highlighting biomedical research challenges and international collaboration ahead of a faculty restructuring into a Faculty of Medicine on 1 August. Elderly Care & Longevity (Regional): A Manulife forum in Hong Kong focused on “quality living” and independent ageing, linking physical wellbeing, mental resilience and financial freedom. Health-Adjacent Community Tech: Shenzhen visits for young rehabilitated persons included a healthcare-robotics stop, alongside history and culture activities. Animal Health & Stress Monitoring: Macau’s giant panda twins Jian Jian and Kang Kang will be transferred to Chengdu in October, with quarantine and health evaluations planned to support adaptation.

Drug Prevention in Focus: Macau reported 132 drug abuse cases in 2025, with the average age for first-time use dropping to 22.8—an “increasingly covert” trend that raises concerns about new synthetic drugs and youth risk, as local anti-drug efforts push tougher controls on e-cigarettes and tobacco. Public Health & Safety: A fatal Kowloon City traffic crash involved a public light bus that mounted the pavement and hit pedestrians; one man died and the driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death. Local Health Research: University of Macau is expanding its biomedical and health-sciences ecosystem, including a biomedical sciences symposium and plans to restructure into a Faculty of Medicine, plus new research institutes aimed at faster lab-to-clinic and technology transfer. Healthcare Innovation in Practice: UM also announced new research institute operations (including smart city tech and AI/brain sciences) from August 1, supporting Macau’s health and tech development. Wellness & Community: Macau’s giant panda twins Jian Jian and Kang Kang marked their 10th birthday, with plans to relocate them to Chengdu later this year—while the pavilion undergoes upgrades, including air-conditioning improvements.

Macao Biomedical Research: The University of Macau’s Faculty of Health Sciences opened its 12th Macau Symposium on Biomedical Sciences, bringing together 200+ experts to share biomedical advances and discuss challenges, with plans to restructure FHS into a Faculty of Medicine from 1 August and launch a clinical medicine programme with the University of Lisbon. Hospital & Patient Safety: The Hospital Authority dismissed a doctor for serious misconduct, stressing patient safety standards. Drug Access & Compliance: SPARC ended its licensing deal with CMS Bridging covering five drug candidates across Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, saying the move won’t materially affect operations. Public Health & Medicines: Mannings expanded its “Safe Disposal of Unused Medicines Programme” for a fourth year, adding community collection points across Hong Kong to help prevent misuse of leftover or expired pills. Elder Care & Longevity: Manulife’s Longevity Insight Forum in Hong Kong and Macau focused on quality ageing, independence in retirement, and holistic wellbeing. Workplace Health: Police reclassified a Tuen Mun industrial accident as manslaughter after a worker died following an excavator incident. Local Health Policy Debate: A commentary questions whether Macau’s cash handout is addressing real needs like housing, healthcare and welfare, amid concerns including high suicide rates.

Biomedical Research in Macao: The University of Macau’s 12th Macau Symposium on Biomedical Sciences opened today, bringing 200+ scholars and clinicians to discuss challenges and opportunities in biomedical sciences, with UM also flagging a Faculty of Health Sciences restructure into a Faculty of Medicine on 1 August. Health Education & Partnerships: UM also held a “Friends of Health” forum for its 45th anniversary, stressing stronger global links and the push to integrate basic research with clinical use as it moves toward the Faculty of Medicine. Drug Safety & Public Health (HK): Mannings expanded its “Safe Disposal of Unused Medicines Programme” for a fourth year, adding community collection points and offering medication counselling to reduce misuse. Workplace Health & Safety (HK): Hong Kong’s Labour Department issued a heat stress warning, urging employers to prevent heat stroke. Medicine Licensing (Regional Pharma): SPARC announced it has mutually terminated its CMS Bridging licensing deal covering five drug candidates across Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, effective 25 June. Community Health Concern (Macao): A local commentary questions whether Macau’s cash handout scheme is addressing deeper needs, pointing to persistent social pressures and high suicide rates. Public Health Governance (HK/Macao insurers): AXA Hong Kong and Macau and Sun Life Hong Kong both reported major Bloomberg Businessweek awards, including health-related categories and retirement-focused recognition.

Elderly Care & Costs: A Macau Silver Economy and Smart Elderly Care Demand Survey of 792 residents aged 50+ found 84.3% worry about future care and medical costs, while only 19% have stable savings; awareness of smart elderly care is high (over 60%) but actual use is low (29.2%), with the biggest needs tied to health monitoring, emergency help, and daily support. Policy & Services for Seniors: Lawmaker Leong Hong Sai pressed the government for updates on the “Residence for the Elderly,” including whether traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinics will be added, what safety measures exist for seniors with mobility issues, and whether rent levels will be reviewed. Biomedical Research in Macao: The University of Macau’s Faculty of Health Sciences opened its 12th Macau Symposium on Biomedical Sciences, drawing 200+ experts, and flagged upcoming restructuring into a Faculty of Medicine plus a planned clinical medicine programme with the University of Lisbon. Drug Abuse Watch (UN Day): Ahead of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a Macau anti-drug leader warned that new synthetic drugs are spreading in hidden ways, including private use via e-cigarettes, which may leave youth addiction undercounted. Workplace Heat Safety: The Labour Department issued a heat stress warning, urging employers to put precautions in place to prevent heat stroke. Medication Safety: Mannings expanded its “Safe Disposal of Unused Medicines Programme,” adding community collection points to help residents dispose of leftover or expired pills safely.

Biomedical Research in Macao: The University of Macau (UM) opened its 12th Macau Symposium on Biomedical Sciences, bringing together 200+ scholars and clinicians over three days, with UM also flagging a Faculty of Health Sciences restructure into a Faculty of Medicine on 1 August and a new clinical medicine programme with the University of Lisbon. Elder Care Worries: A Macau Silver Economy and Smart Elderly Care Demand Survey of 792 residents aged 50+ found 84.3% are concerned about future care and medical costs, while only 29.2% actually use smart elderly care services—highlighting a big gap between awareness and real adoption. Elderly Housing Services: A lawmaker asked for updates on the “Residence for the Elderly,” including plans for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinics, plus stronger safety and evacuation support for residents with mobility issues. Public Health Safety: Mannings expanded its “Safe Disposal of Unused Medicines Programme” for a fourth year, adding community collection points to reach 75 locations across Hong Kong to help prevent misuse of leftover medicines. Drug Abuse Focus: A UNODC-linked discussion ahead of the World Drug Report launch highlighted concerns about hidden youth drug use, including private e-cigarette consumption that may escape detection. Community Health & Mobility: A joint Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao marine rescue drill simulated a ferry collision and overboard scenarios to test cross-border emergency response in the Pearl River Estuary.

Macao Health Research & Training: University of Macau (UM) marked its 45th anniversary with a “Friends of Health” forum, outlining plans to restructure its Faculty of Health Sciences into a Faculty of Medicine and push closer links between basic research and clinical use, with a new research institute network aimed at translating lab work into real-world biomedical impact. Elder Care Costs & Smart Services: A Macau Silver Economy and Smart Elderly Care Demand Survey of 792 residents aged 50+ found 84.3% worry about future care and medical costs, while only 29.2% actually use smart elderly care products—most want health monitoring, emergency help, and daily support. Elderly Housing Safety & TCM Clinics: A lawmaker asked for updates on the “Residence for the Elderly,” including whether traditional Chinese medicine clinics will be set up, plus stronger fire safety and evacuation support for seniors with mobility issues. Drug Abuse Watch in Macau: A psychologist from a Macau anti-drug group warned that official numbers may miss a “hidden iceberg” of abuse, with young people increasingly using devices like e-cigarettes to consume drugs privately. Public Health Access: Mannings in Hong Kong expanded its “Safe Disposal of Unused Medicines Programme” to 75 collection points, offering counselling and safe disposal routes for leftover medicines. Community Preparedness: Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao authorities ran a joint marine rescue exercise in Macau waters, simulating a ferry collision and testing emergency coordination.

Drug Abuse & Youth Risk: Ahead of UN International Day against Drug Abuse, a Macau psychologist warns that new synthetic drugs are spreading more covertly, with e-cigarettes helping some young users avoid detection—so official counts may miss a “hidden iceberg” of abuse. Biomedical Research in Macau: UM marked its 45th anniversary with a “Friends of Health” forum, and announced a restructure toward a Faculty of Medicine plus new research institutes to strengthen biomedical partnerships. Elderly Care Costs & Smart Services: A Macau Silver Economy survey of 792 residents aged 50+ finds 84.3% worry about future care and medical costs, while only 29.2% actually use smart elderly care tools—highlighting a gap between awareness and real support. Elderly Housing Oversight: A lawmaker presses for updates on the “Residence for the Elderly,” including plans for TCM clinics, rent reviews, and stronger safety and evacuation measures for residents with mobility issues. Smoking Cessation via TCM Safety: WHO and the Health Bureau co-hosted a seminar on clinical safety and acupuncture/moxibustion for quitting smoking, aiming to improve standards and reliability of TCM services. Influenza Update: The Health Bureau reports an 87-year-old man with chronic diseases died of influenza A (with pneumonia), while a 73-year-old is in critical condition with influenza B complicated by pneumonia. Local Wellness Event: Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau drew 280+ participants for International Yoga Day under “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.”

Elderly Care Anxiety in Macau: A new Macau Social Security Society survey of 792 residents aged 50+ finds 84.3% worry about future care and medical costs, with only 19% reporting stable savings; awareness of smart elderly care is higher than use (60% vs 29.2%), and many want help with health monitoring, emergency support, and daily care. Elderly Residence Scrutiny: Lawmaker Leong Hong Sai asks for updates on the “Residence for the Elderly,” including whether TCM clinics will be added, and presses for stronger safety and clearer rent review plans for seniors. Influenza A Death Reported: Macau’s Health Bureau says an 87-year-old man with chronic conditions died after influenza A led to pneumonia; a 73-year-old is also in critical condition with influenza B complicated by pneumonia. TCM + WHO Smoking Cessation Seminar: WHO and the local government held a seminar on acupuncture and moxibustion for smoking cessation, focusing on clinical safety and quality, with Macau’s Health Bureau highlighting tobacco control efforts. Public Health Safety: Medication Disposal Drive: Mannings expands its “Safe Disposal of Unused Medicines Programme” for a fourth year, adding community collection points (75 total) to help residents dispose of leftover pills safely. Local Health & Safety Incidents: A protected heritage building fire in Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro caused no injuries but disrupted 17 bus routes; preliminary cause was a short circuit in an air-conditioning unit. Community Wellness Event: Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau hosted International Yoga Day (Yoga for Healthy Ageing) with 280+ participants and health-food tasting. Food Safety Alert (Nearby): Hong Kong authorities are investigating suspected paralytic shellfish poisoning after a family ate whelk.

Medication Safety: Mannings in Hong Kong is running its “Safe Disposal of Unused Medicines Programme” for a fourth year, adding six community partners to expand to 75 collection points. From 26 June to 23 July, people can drop off leftover or expired pills at participating Mannings pharmacies (with listed branch exclusions) and 13 community collection sites. Elder Care Affordability: A Macau Silver Economy and Smart Elderly Care Demand Survey of 792 residents aged 50+ found 84.3% worry about future care and medical costs, and only 19% have stable savings; awareness of smart elderly care is higher than actual use (60% vs 29.2%). Elder Services Oversight: A lawmaker has asked for updates on the “Residence for the Elderly,” including plans for TCM clinics and stronger safety and evacuation measures for residents with mobility issues, plus rent review. Smoking Cessation & TCM Safety: WHO and the local government co-hosted a seminar on clinical safety and quality in Chinese medicine, highlighting acupuncture for smoking cessation and aiming to strengthen local practitioner capability. Influenza Update: Macau health authorities reported an 87-year-old man with chronic conditions died of influenza A (with pneumonia), and a 73-year-old man is in critical condition with influenza B complicated by pneumonia. Wellness for Healthy Ageing: Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau drew 280+ participants for International Yoga Day, themed “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” with health-food tasting and community partners. Public Health in the Community: Authorities also reported a suspected paralytic shellfish poisoning case in Hong Kong after whelk was eaten at home, with one patient discharged and another stable in hospital.