The UK and Singapore launched negotiations for a new Mutual Recognition Agreement on pharmaceutical good manufacturing practice on 22 September 2026, according to a UK government press release published on 23 September 2026. The proposed agreement would build on existing arrangements including the UK-Singapore Free Trade Agreement and Digital Economy Agreement.

The release said the agreement would cut costs and administrative barriers in medicines trade by letting regulators rely on each other's laboratory inspection results, while maintaining UK regulatory requirements. It cited UK-Singapore goods trade worth £12bn in 2025, a 24% increase from 2024, and medicines trade worth over £300 million in 2025, with particular benefits cited for the South East of England, East of England and Wales. The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and Singapore's Health Sciences Authority both belong to the Access Consortium.

Trade Minister Lord Sarwar said the deal would reduce red tape and make it easier for medicines to move between the two countries. The government said the talks support its Trade Strategy commitment to pursue more mutual recognition agreements in growth-driving sectors such as life sciences.