The latest lethal drug outbreak, the second within three months,
should raise the alarm with regulators responsible for the health
and safety of the public.
In the latest case, an antibiotic clindamycin phosphate glucose
injection, produced by an Anhui company, is believed to have caused
three deaths and left more than 81 ill. The tally may worsen as
further reactions are reported across the country.
The drug regulators have reacted quickly in recalling the
injections in circulation. They must continue this work to ensure
no more bottles of this dangerous batch of injection remain on the
market.
Although the medical authorities are yet to come to a final
judgement as to what exactly happened, the event should get
regulators at all levels, manufacturers and hospitals thinking more
seriously about drug security.
The infamous Qiqihar fake drug incident not long ago was found
to have involved poor management and regulation at several links in
the chain. The public will wonder whether things are similar this
time around.
Media outlets and regulators have released little information to
explain the adverse reactions. Nevertheless, preliminary
investigations have provided some clues to decoding the case.
A spokesman for the producer, Anhui Huayuan Worldbest Biology
Pharmacy Company, a subsidiary of the Shanghai Worldbest Co Ltd,
told China Central Television that mishandled sterilization during
the production process was a "possible" cause.
It was revealed the company had bought a new sterilizer and
shortened the time of sterilization, but it was not explained by
what manufacturing standard Huayuan had reduced this time.
We need an answer to this question to define the responsibility
of the company.
It should also be remembered that, as early as 2003, the Adverse
Drug Reaction Monitoring Centre of the State Food and Drug
Administration reportedly issued a nationwide warning against
possible serious adverse effects of this drug. The notice reminded
doctors of the need to be cautious when prescribing the drug.
It is unknown whether the notice was adequately heeded, or what
the regulators did after that to fix the source of those adverse
reactions.
However, we do know that the same drug that was subject to a
warning nearly three years ago has now killed at least three
people.
We hope thorough investigations will reveal the truth. They must
clearly define the responsibilities of the relevant parties so that
such a tragedy will not happen again.
(China Daily August 7, 2006)