Deaths due to Siberian ginseng injections

 Three people have died in southwest China after receiving an injection of Siberian ginseng extract.

It’s another example of the chaos that passes for the Chinese pharmaceutical industry.

The BBC reports that the deaths occurred in Yunnan province.

This follows the deaths caused by melamine adulterated baby milk formula. Currently, more 10,000 babies remain hospitalized in China with kidney problems because of melamine contamination.

The bottom line?
Last year, China’s former top drug regulator was executed for taking millions of dollars in bribes to approve substandard medicines, including an antibiotic that killed at least 10 people.

I’m not aware that ginseng injection is sold over the Internet, but be forewarned.

10/10/08 19:55 JR