China handled 258,700 medicine-related cases which involved 430 million yuan (US$53.75 million) in value in the first 11 months of 2005.

The statistics was released by Shao Mingli, director of the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), at a national meeting in the field Thursday.

In the same period, Shao said, China confiscated 150 million yuan (US$18.75 million), fined 429 million yuan (US$53.6 million), banned 114,00 unlicensed manufacturers, demolished 461 illegal manufacturing factories, withdrew 66 operation licenses, and gave criminal penalty to 34 people.

Besides, China handled 42,000 cases for making fake medical apparatus and instruments, which involved 69 million yuan (US$8.6 million) in value.

Shao said China launched a specific project to combat fake medicines and gained effective results. The SFDA at all levels strengthened the supervision and inspection of illegal advertisement for medicines, medical apparatus, and medical care food, and punished fake medicine manufacturers who infringed on independent intellectual property rights. The evaluation of Chinese traditional medicines was also carried out.

Shao said more concrete measures will be taken this year to enhance the supervision over advertisements and the production and circulation of medicines

(Xinhua News Agency January 13, 2006)