China’s tougher vaccine rules are ‘welcome, but will be complex to implement’, says WHO
China’s proposals to impose tougher rules over its vaccine market will help stamp out illegal behaviour and strengthen oversight – but will be “complex” to implement, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Friday.
The State Council, China’s cabinet, said on Wednesday that it would tighten supervision of vaccine distribution, with better record keeping for the production, storing and transport of vaccines and tougher punishments for lawbreakers.
The move comes in the wake of a case involving millions of illegal trades of vaccines through a black market drugs ring, which ignited public ire and underscored regulatory weaknesses in the world’s second largest pharmaceuticals market.
The vaccines, including ones against meningitis, rabies and other illnesses, are suspected of being sold in dozens of provinces around China since 2011.
