A point of concern for most families is the availability of genuine drugs to help treat simple ailments or get a prescription filled. There have been several drugs scandals in the past that has made both locals and foreigners skeptical of the drugs being sold. As a result, the judiciary on Tuesday said that they will hand out tougher sentences for the production and sale of fake and substandard drugs according to a report by the China Daily.
The decision came after the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) issued a joint judicial interpretation to crackdown on crimes related to drug safety,said Han Yaoyuan, a director with the SPP.
This will affect the following classification of drugs: narcotic, psychotropic, radioactive, toxic, injectable, first aid drugs, contraceptives, and vaccines will also face harsher punishment. What is not clear is if the drugs that are not classified on this list will be subject to the rule. Medical personnel found to be selling counterfeit drugs will also be subjected to stringent sentencing.
As rules go, this might be a welcomed relief the implementation and deterrent factor will be a wait and see.
Photo: epsos.de (Flickr)
