China adopts new measures to increase drug safety

BEIJING, CHINA: China formally adopted new measures designed to increase the safety and security of its internal pharmaceutical market at a meeting of the state council. National drug safety plan- 2011-2015 highlights a number of problems facing the pharmaceutical sector, including weak regulatory oversight. “Drug safety is still in a high-risk period,” said the council in a statement.

Among the other objectives outlined in the document is a target of 100 per cent adherence to China’s new good manufacturing practices (GMP) rules by 2015, which should help to raise patient safety significantly, as well as continuous improvements in chemical and biological standards.

The council also wants to boost the inspection activities of the state food and drug administration (SFDA) for manufacturing and clinical facilities, particularly in rural areas, and boost laboratory capacity across the country for quality testing of western and traditional Chinese medicines (TCM). China needs to implement a robust monitoring and warning system for adverse drug reactions, particularly for new, higher-risk medicine and TCM given by injection, and also improve emergency plans to ensure the availability of essential medicines said the council.

© WOC News