Vaccine scandal: China detains 37 suspects as senior official admits to problems in drug system
Up to 13 pharmaceutical wholesalers are being investigated as the scandal reinforces long-standing public concerns over safety of China’s food and medicine
A senior official at China’s drug safety regulator has admitted to failings in the nation’s vaccine distribution network after 37 people were detained over a scandal involving improperly stored or transported medicine worth 570 million yuan (HK$680 million).
Wu Zhen, deputy director of the China Food and Drug Administration, told a panel discussion at the annual Boao Forum for Asia, in Hainan province, that the scandal indicated a problematic system of vaccine production and distribution.
“There must be loopholes, otherwise the [vaccine distribution] would not go wrong,” Wu said. “We need to improve it.”
Xinhua said police in Shandong province had detained 37 suspects believed to be implicated in the vaccine scandal, but did not give further details.
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The scandal reinforces longstanding concerns over the safety of mainland food and medicine.