China to Step Up Inspection of Fish Farms in Crackdown on Illegal Use of Drugs, Chemicals (China)
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
China will inspect fish farms across the country to guard against the use of illegal drugs and chemicals, a move that was made as a team of U.S. health officials met with Chinese officials to discuss stepping up controls on two-way food and drug exports and increasing cooperation. Besides inspections, the new measures also include the blacklisting of violators and better education and training for producers. U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who ended two days of trade talks with Chinese leaders in Beijing, said his discussions touched on consumer product safety and food safety but he gave no details. China's lucrative but lightly regulated pharmaceutical industry has also been under stricter surveillance. The former head of China's State Food and Drug Administration was executed in June for taking bribes and gifts in exchange for approving substandard medications for the domestic market, including an antibiotic blamed in the deaths of at least 10 people. China's drug watchdog has suspended sales of two batches of a leukemia drug that was under investigation after users reported adverse reactions including leg pains and difficulty walking. Shanghai Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., China's biggest drug-maker and the parent company of the unit that made the methotrexate, has said it was investigating the problem. (Click here for more - May Require Free Registration