HK gov't suggested to set up drug safety center

The proposal was among the 75 recommendations the Review Committee on the Regulation of Pharmaceutical Products forwarded to the Hong Kong government to enhance the regulatory regime of drug products from manufacturing to retailing, after a nine-month study.

According to the committee's report, the dedicated office could help boost the government's regulatory role in enhancing drug safety. It could be expanded into Center for Drug Safety in the long term.

Hong Kong's Secretary for Food and Health York Chow said on Tuesday the recommendations will help raise drug-industry standards, ensure patient safety and protect public health.

The committee considered the framework and rationale behind the existing regime sound; however, it felt the regulatory measures' coverage and depth should be enhanced, Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.chinaview.cn for full version.