China to check medical equipment safety

China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) is planning a nationwide safety campaign to check the manufacture, sales and use of medical apparatus.

The five-month action will focus on fake certificates, illegal manufacture and sales, false advertising claims and the use of unapproved products, Tong Min, a senior CFDA official said on Monday at a press conference.

The check for illegal manufacture will mainly target products such as disposable injectors and catheters as well as condoms -- which might be made from unapproved or non-sterilized materials.

Meanwhile, products for external use, including contact lenses, hearing aids and various reagents, will be the focus of the check for illegal sales and improper storage and transfers.

Advertised claims of exaggerated effectiveness, sometimes in the name of experts and patients, are a long term concern of the public.