China Proposes Stiffer Penalties For Fake Drug Makers

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By: Vittorio Hernandez
November 29, 2007
Beijing, China (AHN) - A draft law written by China's Supreme People's Court and Supreme People's Procurator proposes stiffer penalties for fake drug manufacturers. Makers of drugs that cause deformities or grave bodily injury may face life imprisonment or even the death penalty, according to the draft.

Medical institutions that buy, store or prescribe fake or substandard drugs will face criminal cases, while funders or supporters of counterfeit medicine producers, distributors and retailers likewise will be charged criminally.

China's State Food and Drug Administration posted the draft law on its website for public comment.

The draft law on bogus drugs follows the approval on October 31 of a law on food safety to correct flaws in production, processing, delivery, storage and sales. The flurry of legislative actions on upgrading national safety and quality benchmarks is a result of global concerns over the safety of "Made-in-China" commodities, ranging from toys to food and drugs.

Under the draft food law, a food safety risk supervision and evaluation system will be put in place to serve as guidelines in setting food safety standards and instituting control measures against food-borne diseases. It was sent to the National People's Congress for debate and approval.

Margaret Chan, head of the World Health Organization, was quoted by China Daily that she is satisfied with the nation's efforts to improve food safety. The ongoing drive against substandard food manufacturing facilities has resulted in the filing of 626 criminal cases versus producers or retailers of substandard food, drugs and fresh produce and the arrest of 774 suspect.

After China's Cabinet approved the food safety draft law, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said, "Food safety is vital to improving people's lives and health, so relevant legislation must match national efforts of safeguarding food safety.'