Premier Wen Jiabao yesterday ordered a thorough
investigation into allegations of corruption against Zheng Xiaoyu,
former head of the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA).
The probe was ordered after a State Council executive meeting,
presided by Wen, heard a Ministry of Supervision report on Zheng,
who retired in June 2005.?
Zheng, 63, neglected his duty to supervise the drug market,
abused the administration's drug approval authority, took bribes
and turned a blind eye to malpractices by relatives and subordinate
officials, the meeting heard.
"The corruption had a vile effect, as Zheng's offenses
threatened public health and tarnished the image of the Party and
the government," the report said.
The State Council, which called for stiff penalties for the
guilty, described the case as typical of power abuse and
dereliction of duty.
Zheng was appointed director of the drug watchdog when it was
set up in 1998.
In 2002, China adopted national standards to replace local
standards for approving medicines.
Zheng first came under investigation by the Communist Party of
China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection in December last
year.
Zheng, who worked in the drug industry for 23 years, was the
head of a pharmaceutical factory in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang
Province, until 1994.
In the latest case concerning drug safety, 90,000 doses of a
blood-drug produced by Guangdong Bioyee Pharmaceutical Co Ltd have
been recalled till yesterday.
People have tested positive for hepatitis C antibodies after
being treated with the drug, said health officials, without
revealing the number of infected.
The pharmaceutical company "seriously" violated manufacturing
procedures during production, officials said.
(China Daily January 25, 2007)