The BBC reported this week on yet another situation involving China's disregard for public health and safety. Chinese investigators are now saying that nearly 60 hospitals and pharmacies in northeastern China have been using fake blood plasma in patients' IV drips. Blood plasma (a.k.a., blood protein or albumin) is used during surgery, as well as to treat patients suffering from shock or severe burns.
Experts suggest that the fake product could be life-threatening for those already in a serious condition. This scandal is the latest to expose weaknesses in China's regulation of food and drug standards. See my originals posts on the Chinese toothpaste story here and here.
The food and drug administration in the northeastern state of Jilin found 18 hospitals and more than 30 pharmacies were selling fake batches of plasma. Officials did not say whether anyone had died or fallen ill through using the false protein, though one Chinese newspaper said it had led to one death.
The Chinese government said its investigations had "effectively cleaned up the market". China has recently launched a nationwide clampdown on counterfeit products in response to a series of scandals that has provoked the international community. In one of the worst cases, 13 babies died from malnutrition after being fed fake baby milk. Last month the country's top food and drug regulator was sentenced to death for taking bribes to approve medicines not properly tested for safety.
Toothpaste, anti-malarial drugs and pet food have also been found to contain contaminated or fake ingredients. The tainted toothpaste has been blamed for dozens of deaths in Panama.
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