It is a multi-disciplinary agency responsible for applying medical, pharmaceutical, and scientific expertise to protect and advance public health and safety.

[2] HSA was formed on 1 April 2001 with the integration of five specialised agencies under the Ministry of Health: the Centre for Drug Evaluation; Institute of Science and Forensic Medicine; National Pharmaceutical Administration; Product Regulation Department; and Singapore Blood Transfusion Service.

The agency also contributes to the development of biomedical sciences in Singapore by administering a robust, scientific and responsive regulatory framework.

On the pre-market front, HSA administers clinical trials for new drugs and grants approvals for these products before they are marketed in Singapore.

The agency also carries out investigations and takes enforcement action against illegal activities related to unregistered, counterfeit and adulterated health products.

The HSA has maintained a strategic partnership with the Singapore Red Cross since 2001 in managing the National Blood Donor Recruitment and Retention Programme.

In collaboration with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), HSA has been a designated institute for chemical metrology in Singapore since 2008.

HSA's professional groups have been identified as WHO Collaborating Centres in three core areas of expertise - Transfusion Medicine, Drug Quality Assurance and Food Contaminants Monitoring.

The agency is also a United Nations International Drug Control Programme Reference Laboratory for Biological Specimens and Seized Materials.