AGP Executive Report

Hepatitis & cancer screening push: Macau’s Health Bureau (SSM) is expanding early detection with more hepatitis testing and cancer screening under the “Healthy Macao Action Plan,” including hepatitis B screening for residents over 40 with no prior record; by end-2025, over 19,000 people were screened and more than 1,300 confirmed cases were found, with future invitations planned via the Macao One Account. Macao’s health-linked development roadmap: The SAR’s Third Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) puts people well-being at the center, aiming to strengthen public services such as healthcare, elderly support and social security while accelerating economic diversification and closer integration with Hengqin. Exercise for heart protection (study): A new study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests heart-attack and stroke risk drops meaningfully only with much more weekly moderate-to-vigorous activity than standard guidance—about 560 to 610 minutes per week. New ophthalmic drug approval abroad: Kanghong’s conbercept ophthalmic injection (Lumitin) received marketing authorization in Guyana, adding another overseas regulatory milestone for the anti-VEGF biologic used for retinal diseases. Work safety in extreme heat: A lawmaker urges clearer rules for outdoor workers during extreme weather, including limits on working hours and better rest-period guidance to reduce heatstroke risk. Clinical trial update (vision care): EyePoint reported topline data from LUGANO, the first of two Phase 3 trials for DURAVYU™ 2.7mg in wet AMD.

Macao Health & Policy: Macao’s Third Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) was unveiled, with a strong push to improve people’s well-being alongside economic diversification and deeper Hengqin integration—plus a city-wide building “health check” survey to support urban renewal. Public Health & Safety: A lawmaker urged clearer rules for outdoor work during extreme heat, including limits on working hours and rest periods to reduce heatstroke risk. University & Public Health Training: Classes began at the University of Macau’s Dezhi Plaza teaching site in Hengqin, with new faculties including Medicine and programmes spanning public health and related fields. Exercise & Heart Health: A new study suggests the heart benefits of moderate-to-vigorous exercise may require far more than the usual 150 minutes weekly—about 560 to 610 minutes for meaningful risk reduction. Clinical Research Watch: EyePoint reported topline results from pivotal Phase 3 trials for DURAVYU™ (wet AMD), highlighting potential treatment-burden reductions. Community & Wellness: MGM’s summer camp included a nutrition science visit at By-Health’s Nutrition Explore Center, linking youth learning with wellness education.

Macao Health & Urban Safety: Lawmaker Leong Pou U urged clearer rules for outdoor work during extreme heat, including limits on working hours and rest periods, after noting current guidance is too vague for construction, delivery and gardening crews. Public Health Planning: Macau’s Third Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) was released, with a focus on urban renewal and “city health checks” via building surveys starting in the second half of the year—aimed at improving living conditions and public facilities. Health Research & Fitness: A new study reported in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests heart-risk reduction may require more than the usual 150 minutes weekly—560 to 610 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week showed about a 30% risk drop. Wellness & Community: TTG Asia Luxury’s wellness tourism feature “Shades of wellness” won a PATA Gold Award, highlighting how intentional wellness holidays are becoming a bigger trend. Healthcare Access & Insurance: A FWD Hong Kong survey found many workers rely on employer group medical insurance but doubt it covers real costs, with only 17% buying top-up protection. Clinical Updates: EyePoint announced topline Phase 3 results for DURAVYU in wet AMD, reporting reduced treatment burden and strong vision outcomes in its LUGANO study.

Heart Health Research: A new British Journal of Sports Medicine study suggests heart-attack and stroke risk drops meaningfully only with 560–610 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise weekly—far above the usual “150 minutes” message. Macao Health & Policy: Macao’s Third Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) was officially released, with goals that include improving people’s well-being and advancing Hengqin cooperation, plus targets tracked through 35 indicators. Wet AMD Treatment Watch: EyePoint reported topline Phase 3 results for DURAVYU in wet AMD, highlighting reduced treatment burden and supplement-free rates, with more trial readouts expected soon. Nutrition & Wellness for Youth: MGM’s Golden Lion Summer Camp brought record participation and included a visit to By-Health’s Nutrition Explore Center, tying learning to nutrition science. Public Health Access & Costs: FWD’s survey in Hong Kong found many workers rely on employer group medical insurance but doubt it covers real costs, with only 17% buying top-up protection—an affordability warning for the region. Safety Alert: A 73-year-old woman died after being struck by a tour bus near Border Gate, with investigations ongoing.

Macau Association Reform: Macau’s government is running a 45-day consultation on a new legal framework for associations, aiming to tighten registration and governance and tackle “sleeping associations” — about 40% of roughly 12,400 groups have been inactive for five years or more, with a proposed 180-day rectification window after notification. Public Health & Safety: A 73-year-old woman died after being struck by a tour bus near the Border Gate on Aug 16; police say the driver cooperated and surveillance footage was reviewed, but the cause is still under investigation. Wellness in the Community: MGM’s 9th Golden Lion Summer Camp in Hengqin drew a record 200+ students aged 14–18, including a visit to By-Health’s Nutrition Explore Center focused on nutrition science and wellness learning. Insurance & Costs: FWD’s Hong Kong survey found only 17% of working people buy extra top-up medical insurance, despite many believing employer group cover won’t meet real medical expenses. Nutrition & Trade: Hong Kong’s Food Expo and related fairs drew 520,000 visits and included a Chinese medicine and health products conference, highlighting growing demand for healthy living and wellness products.

Clinical Research & Eye Health: EyePoint released topline Phase 3 results for DURAVYU™ (LUGANO) in wet AMD, highlighting a 42% reduction in treatment burden and high supplement-free rates, with the second pivotal trial (LUCIA) expected in Q4 2026. Public Health & Safety (Drugs): Macau’s Legislative Assembly unanimously approved urgent amendments adding 13 substances to the forbidden drugs list, including analogues of “space oil,” with a focus on risks linked to e-cigarettes/vapes. Food Safety: McDonald’s Macau temporarily suspended its “Ebi Burger” series after Taiwan reported shrimp patties exceeding synthetic antibiotic standards; Macau says local batches differ but paused sales as a precaution. Exercise & Heart Risk: A Macao Polytechnic University-linked study found 560–610 minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous activity is tied to over 30% lower heart attack and stroke risk. Local Health Policy & Governance: Macau’s government consultation on a new legal regime for associations stresses national security and “healthy, sustainable” development, including how associations link with mainland/Hong Kong and beyond. Community Wellness (Youth): MGM’s Golden Lion Summer Camp in Hengqin drew a record 200+ students (14–18), mixing team activities with a nutrition science visit at By-Health’s Nutrition Explore Center. Health-Adjacent Business: IPIM reported 194 new investment projects in H1 2026, with big health/biomedicine among the fastest-growing “1+4” sectors. Injury Update: A 73-year-old woman died after being struck by a coach near the Barrier Gate; she was taken to Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre but later pronounced dead.

Heart Health Research: A Macao Polytechnic University-led study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine links 560–610 minutes of weekly moderate-to-vigorous exercise with more than 30% lower heart attack and stroke risk, suggesting current “minimum” activity guidance may be too low for best protection. Drug Safety & Public Health: Macau’s Legislative Assembly unanimously approved urgent amendments adding 13 forbidden substances to the anti-drug law, including etomidate analogues (“space oil”), with officials noting many are consumed via vapes/e-cigarettes and pose risks to physical and mental health. Food Safety Watch: McDonald’s Macau temporarily suspended its “Ebi Burger” series as a precaution after Taiwan reported shrimp patties containing synthetic antibiotics above permitted standards; Macau says local batches differ but paused sales to address public concern. Big Health Business Momentum: Macau’s IPIM reported 194 new investment projects in H1 2026, with over 60% in the “1+4” industries—especially big health, which grew by over 60%. Local Health & Wellness Access: DFI Retail Group will be the exclusive wholesaler, distributor and franchisee for GNC in Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore, using Guardian’s network to expand access to science-backed supplements.

Public Health & Safety: A 73-year-old woman died after being struck by a coach near the Barrier Gate; Fire Services rushed her to Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre, but she was pronounced dead at 8:23 a.m., while police said preliminary evidence-gathering and surveillance footage are underway. Drug Control: Macau’s Legislative Assembly unanimously approved urgent amendments adding 13 substances to the forbidden drugs list, including analogues of “space oil” (etomidate) and other new drug types, with officials linking the update to international obligations and public health risks, especially for vape/e-cigarette use. Food Safety: McDonald’s Macau temporarily suspended sales of its “Ebi Burger” series as a precaution after Taiwan reported shrimp patties containing synthetic antibiotics above permitted standards; the local outlet said Macau batches differ but paused sales to address concerns. Exercise & Heart Health: A study using Macao Polytechnic University researchers found 560–610 minutes of weekly moderate-to-vigorous exercise was tied to more than 30% lower risk of heart attack and stroke, suggesting current activity guidance may be too low for optimal protection. Big Health Growth: IPIM reported 194 new investment projects in H1 2026, with big health projects up over 60% and modern financial services and high-tech also surging. Community & Learning: SJM awarded scholarships to 36 “outstanding children of employees,” with new recipients pursuing fields including healthcare and dental studies.

Drug Safety & Public Health: Macau lawmakers unanimously passed urgent amendments adding 13 substances to the forbidden drugs list, including seven analogues of “space oil” (etomidate) and other new controlled/related drugs, with officials linking the update to rising public-health risks, especially from vape/e-cigarette use. Food Safety Watch: McDonald’s Macau temporarily suspended its “Ebi Burger” range as a precaution after Taiwan reported shrimp patties containing synthetic antibiotics above permitted limits; the local operator says Macau batches differ but paused sales to address concerns. Heart Health Research: A Macao Polytechnic University-linked study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found 560–610 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous exercise is tied to more than 30% lower heart attack and stroke risk. Big Health & Biomedicine Push: IPIM reported 194 new investment projects in H1 2026, with big health/biomedicine among the fastest-growing areas, reinforcing Macau’s “1+4” diversification. Wellness Retail Access: DFI Retail Group will be the exclusive wholesaler/distributor/franchisee for GNC across Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore, aiming to expand access to health and wellness products.

Public Health Policy: Macau’s Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai met Legislative Assembly members to gather views for the 2027 Policy Address, stressing stronger executive–legislative interaction within the executive-led system. Drug Control: The Legislative Assembly unanimously passed an urgent bill to add 13 substances to Macau’s anti-drug law, including etomidate analogues linked to “space oil,” with the amendment set to take effect the day after publication. Heart Health Research: A study by Macao Polytechnic University using UK Biobank data found that 560–610 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per week was tied to more than 30% lower risk of heart attack and stroke, suggesting current activity targets may be too low for maximum protection. Big Health & Investment: Macau’s IPIM reported 194 new investment projects in H1 2026, with over 60% in the “1+4” industries; “big health” projects grew by more than 60%. Food Safety Watch: McDonald’s Macau temporarily suspended its “Ebi Burger” series as a precaution after Taiwan reported shrimp patties exceeding nitrofuran-related limits. Workplace Coverage Gap: A FWD survey in Hong Kong and Macau found over 70% of workers rely on employer group medical insurance, but fewer than 30% say it’s enough to cover real medical costs. Cross-border Medical Innovation: Hong Kong’s Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau concluded a Hainan visit focused on drug evaluation, clinical trials, and building an international health and medical innovation hub. Wellness Retail Access: DFI Retail Group will be the exclusive wholesaler, distributor and franchisee for GNC across Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore via Guardian.

Heart Health Research: A new study from Macao Polytechnic University using UK Biobank data links 560–610 minutes of weekly moderate-to-vigorous exercise with more than 30% lower risk of heart attack and stroke, suggesting current “minimum” guidance may understate what’s needed for stronger protection. Public Health & Policy: Macau’s Legislative Assembly unanimously passed an urgent amendment to the anti-drug law adding 13 new substances, including etomidate analogues tied to “space oil,” with the changes taking effect after publication in the Official Gazette. Food Safety Watch: McDonald’s Macau temporarily suspended sales of its “Ebi Burger” series as a precaution after Taiwan reported shrimp burgers containing synthetic antibiotics above permitted standards; Macau says local batches differ but paused sales to address public concern. Big Health Investment Push: Macau’s IPIM reported 194 new investment projects in H1 2026, with big health projects up over 60% and more than 60% of proposals focused on the “1+4” industries. Healthcare Innovation Links: Hong Kong’s Secretary for Health led a delegation to Hainan to strengthen cooperation on medical innovation and regulation, including plans to enhance drug evaluation/registration and advance clinical trials. Wellness Retail Access: DFI Retail Group will be the exclusive wholesaler, distributor and franchisee for GNC across Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore via Guardian, aiming to expand “science-backed” wellness product access. Workplace Coverage Gap: An FWD survey in Hong Kong found over 70% of working people rely on employer group medical insurance, but under 30% think it’s enough to cover real medical costs.

Hospital Care & Research: Hebei Medical University researchers reviewed how prolonged disorders of consciousness are identified using electrical signals from brain networks, noting a high false-diagnosis risk and the limits of current confirmatory scanning. Food Safety in Macau: McDonald’s Macau temporarily suspended its “Ebi Burger” series after Taiwan reports found shrimp patties with synthetic antibiotics exceeding food-safety standards; Macau says local batches differ but paused sales as a precaution. Drug Control Update: Macau lawmakers unanimously passed an amendment to add 13 substances to the anti-drug law, including etomidate analogues tied to “space oil,” using an urgent legislative process. Big Health Investment in Macau: IPIM reported 194 new investment proposals in H1 2026, with over 60% in “1+4” industries; “big health” projects rose sharply, and 133 projects were completed, creating 787 jobs. Healthcare Innovation Link (HK-Hainan): Hong Kong’s Secretary for Health wrapped up a Hainan visit focused on drug evaluation, clinical trials, and medical regulation, including plans to strengthen cross-boundary healthcare innovation. Workplace Medical Coverage Gap (HK-Macau): An FWD survey found over 70% of working people rely on employer group medical insurance, but under 30% think it covers real expenses, with many worried about retirement costs. GNC Distribution Deal (HK/Macau/Singapore): DFI Retail will be the exclusive wholesaler, distributor and franchisee for GNC across Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore, aiming to expand access via Guardian.

Health & Wellness Retail: DFI Retail Group will be the exclusive wholesaler, distributor and franchisee for GNC across Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore, aiming to expand access to “science-backed” supplements via DFI’s Guardian network after GNC’s court win in Singapore. Drug Control: Macau lawmakers unanimously passed a bill adding 13 new substances to the anti-drug law, including etomidate analogues linked to “space oil,” with the changes taking effect after gazettal. Food Safety Precaution: McDonald’s Macau temporarily suspended sales of its “Ebi Burger” series after Taiwan reported shrimp burgers containing synthetic antibiotics above permitted limits; Macau says local batches differ but paused sales to address public concern. Big Health Investment Push: Macao’s IPIM reported 194 new investment projects in H1 2026, with over 60% in “1+4” industries; “big health” projects rose sharply, and 133 projects were completed, creating 787 jobs. Workplace Medical Coverage Gap: An FWD survey found over 70% of Hong Kong workers rely on employer group medical insurance, but under 30% think it’s enough for real medical costs, with many also worried about expenses after retirement. Cross-Boundary Healthcare Innovation: Hong Kong’s Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau visited Hainan to strengthen cooperation on drug evaluation, clinical trials and medical regulation, including plans for a Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation.

Drug Control Update: Macau lawmakers unanimously passed an urgent bill to add 13 new substances to the city’s anti-drug law, including seven analogues of etomidate (linked to “space oil”), with the amendment taking effect the day after publication in the Official Gazette. Food Safety Precaution: McDonald’s Macau temporarily suspended sales of its “Ebi Burger” series after Taiwan reported shrimp patties exceeding nitrofuran limits; the local outlet says Macau batches differ but paused sales to address public concern. Local Health & Investment: IPIM reported 194 new investment projects in H1 2026, up 7% year-on-year, with big growth in modern financial services, high-tech and the “big health” industry. Cross-Boundary Healthcare Innovation: Hong Kong’s Health Secretary led a delegation to Hainan to strengthen cooperation on healthcare innovation, medical regulation, Chinese medicine development and cross-border health services, including drug approval and real-world data use. Workplace Wellness: A TCM AI staff health station was launched at MGM Cotai, offering digital TCM screening plus emotional interventions aimed at worker well-being. Infant Nutrition Safety: FrieslandCampina (Hong Kong) launched a batch-based test report lookup system after Macau ordered withdrawal of a lead-contaminated infant formula stage. Insurance Gap: An FWD survey found over 70% of workers rely on employer group medical insurance, but fewer than 30% say it’s enough for real medical costs.

Macao Workforce Wellness: MGM Cotai launched a TCM AI “health preservation” flagship station, pairing digital TCM screening with professional medical assessment and emotional support to target occupational strain and stress. Infant Formula Safety Check: FrieslandCampina (Hong Kong) rolled out a batch test-report lookup system after Macau ordered withdrawal of a Frisolac Prestige Stage 1 batch over lead levels—aiming to let parents verify results by batch number. Elder Care Policy Update: Macau’s Social Welfare Bureau detailed a new “10-year strategy, two-year action plan” for elderly services and rehabilitation, with 162 action strategies focused on physical/mental wellness, active ageing, smart support and inclusive environments. Public Health Reminder (HK): Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection urged parents not to change childhood vaccination schedules without solid scientific backing, stressing timely protection under the HK Childhood Immunisation Programme. Veterinary Regulation: Macau’s Council of Veterinary Medicine Professionals held its first plenary meeting for the new term, discussing continuing professional development and enforcement of the local veterinary clinical care law. Health Tech & Research: A Greater Bay Area nursing education push highlights expanding nurse prescribing training, while a UK Biobank analysis suggests far more weekly activity than current guidance may better protect heart health.

Macao Workforce Wellness: A new TCM AI “health preservation” flagship station opened at MGM Cotai, offering digital TCM screening, professional assessment and emotional interventions aimed at reducing occupational strain and stress for workers. Infant Formula Safety Check: FrieslandCampina launched a test-report lookup system on its website so parents can view lab results by product batch after Macau ordered withdrawal of a Frisolac Prestige Stage 1 batch over lead levels. Elder Care & Rehab Planning: Macau’s Social Welfare Bureau rolled out a “10-year strategy, two-year action plan” model for elderly services and rehabilitation, with 162 strategies total and near-term measures including wellness support and emergency “Peace Call” expansion. Public Health Messaging: Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection urged parents not to change childhood vaccination schedules without scientific backing, stressing timely protection under the HK Childhood Immunisation Programme. Clinical-Stage Drug Updates (Global, health-relevant): Connect Biopharma, ArriVent BioPharma and Spero Therapeutics reported Q2 progress, including study enrollment milestones and FDA approval of an oral carbapenem antibiotic for complicated UTIs. Cybersecurity & Health Systems Risk: A report says China-linked hackers used open-source AI agents to breach Taiwanese government networks and steal thousands of personnel records, raising concerns for critical services.