A nationwide medical inspection was launched recently to counter rampant false diagnoses and illegal medical treatment by people wanting the drug retail industry to thrive.
Drug producers and wholesale companies employ salespersons and medical staff to conduct "health consultations" or "free treatment" for drug retailers.
But during such consultations and treatment, patients are conned into buying medicine by staff who exaggerate the severity of their illnesses and give false diagnoses.
A circular, jointly issued by the Ministry of Health, the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the State Drug Administration and the State Administration of Industry and Commerce, said that such deceitful treatment is greatly affecting the health and safety of the general public.
In the circular, officials called on relevant departments at all levels to severely punish those responsible for illegal medical treatment in the drug retail sector.
China's drug supervision and management departments are urged to cooperate with the health and commerce departments to tighten control over drug companies.
Those that fail to meet the national standards or disobey the regulations for the management of medical institutions will be ordered to undergo restructure or even have their business certificates suspended, said the circular.
(People's Daily December 13, 2001)
