China's State Food and Drug Administration has launched a
crackdown campaign after fake anti-rabies vaccines caused human
deaths in the country.
An urgent circular issued by the administration and the Ministry
of Health last week ordered local drug watchdogs and health
departments to enhance supervision over the manufacture, sale and
use of anti-rabies vaccines for humans.
"There have been some media reports on human deaths caused by
fake anti-rabies vaccines recently, which pose severe threat to
people's life and social stability," the circular said without
elaborating.
The circular asked local departments to launch a thorough
investigation into vaccine manufacturers and suppliers, destroying
the faulty vaccines and punishing guilty parties.
The demand for anti-rabies vaccines has skyrocketed in recent
months following a government campaign which has emphasized the
threat of rabies and imposed strict regulations on dog ownership.
With the increased demand has come the development of fake
vaccines.
Victims rarely survive once the disease has developed but if
they receive an anti-rabies jab quickly, the likelihood of
developing the disease would drop to 10 percent, according to
official figures.
The crackdown campaign will last until the end of June next
year, according to the circular.
(Xinhua News Agency December 15, 2006)