As one of the Sino-Japanese friendship projects in public health, the National Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs (NCSED) is intended to meet the requirements of the Good Laboratory Practice for Nonclinical Laboratory Studies.

It is funded by the Chinese government with equipment and technological assistance provided by the Japanese government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Since it started trial operations in December 2001, the center has already carried out several drugs safety evaluations in accordance with international standards.

An official with China's State Drug Administration said that the Chinese government has always attached much importance to the safety of drugs. The newly-amended Pharmaceuticals Control Law of China has set clear regulations concerning drugs safety evaluation and administration, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 21, 2002)