China sentences former drug regulator to death

This is apparently in response to the pet food scandal and the food poisoning linked to Chinese imports.

The New York Times reports that Zheng Xiaoyu (photo), “the 62-year-old former commissioner received the unusually harsh sentence amid growing concerns about the quality and safety of China?s food and drug system following several scandals here involving tainted food and phony drugs.”

According to PharmaGosip, “The former Chinese SFDA [State Food and Drug Administration] head was expelled from the ruling Communist Party earlier this year after investigators revealed that he abused the administration’s powers to accept up to $780,000 in bribes to approve medicine that had not been tested to ensure its safety.”

Abel Pharmboy has more background on the mess that masquerades as a pharmaceutical industry in China.

5/30/07 11:20 JR