China Progresses

Here are a few positives out of China of late:

A draft regulation by the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) will require drug makers to recover dangerous or deadly medication from consumers within 24 hours of a recall, state media reported. The 24-hour rule will take effect under a three-tier recall system based on international practices indicating the level of health concern of the drug recalled. The draft regulation stipulates SFDA will hold drug makers accountable for health scares triggered by problematic drugs, and drug makers will face fines of up to three times the value of the drugs involved with a possible revocation of their licenses, in addition to bearing the costs of the recalls. Hospitals and retailers of problematic drugs will also be fined US$132 to US$62,393, or have their licenses revoked in serious cases if the drugs continue to be sold after the recall. The final version of the draft regulation will be implemented October 8, after feedback from stakeholders and drug companies, a spokesperson for SFDA said.

And on the edible side of quality:

China's quality and safety watchdog canceled the licenses of 564 food makers, part of stepped-up efforts to crack down on unsafe food. The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said more than half the companies failed to reapply after moving, reorganizing or letting their old licenses expire, according to a statement posted on the agency's Web site today. Three companies lost licenses for illegal behavior, the statement said, without giving more details.