Patients are not protected in the hospitals in China, reveals the latest scandal to hit the country. Nearly 60 hospitals and pharmacies in China have been using fake human albumin, or plasma protein, to treat patients.
In regular checks, the Food and Drug Administration in Jilin found 18 hospitals and more than 30 pharmacies sold or were selling false batches of the albumin. Seven of 36 batches of the albumin, fed into the bloodstream by drip, contained zero protein.
The scandal is the most recent to expose limitation in China’s regulation of food and drug standards. Those making false albumin were earning a 300% profit, assisted by shortages of the genuine product.
Xu Fei, deputy chief of Jilin food and drug inspection department, told China Central Television that an underground network selling the fake plasma had been smashed in the Jilin province.
Although, no reports of death related to use of such a fake product has been unraveled, yet experts assert that its use could put lives at risk for those already in a grave condition.
China has launched a nationwide clampdown on counterfeit products after a series of scandals.
Lately, Chinese pet food, toothpaste was found to be toxic in U.S. and EU. A Chinese medicine ingredient is believed to have killed 100 people in Panama.
In 2003, the country witnessed about 13 baby deaths, thanks to fake baby formula on which they were fed.
Nearly 200,000 people die every year in China from improper or excessive use of legitimate drugs.
Administration claims that its investigators have cleaned up the market of such fake products.
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Via: BBC