China promotes better drug inspections

China's cabinet, the State Council, on Tuesday has approved restructuring of an inter-ministerial conference on fake medicines.

The conference will include 12 ministry-level departments concerning public security,finance and commerce, which includes the Ministry of Public Security, National Health and Family Planning Commission, State Administration for Industry and Commerce and State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, according to a statement posted on the central government's website.

China Food and Drug Administration will lead the conference and its chief will serve as the convener. The Ministry of Commerce is a new member of the conference, which will no longer include the Ministry of Supervision.

The conference will hold plenary sessions once a year. Interim meetings may be convened upon proposals by the State Council or members of the conference. Meetings concerning specific motions can be convened among some member departments who may invite other authorities such as the Supreme People's Court or the Supreme People's Procuratorate to participate.

The State Council approved the establishment of the inter-ministry conference to make plans and coordinate the work against fake pharmaceutical production and distribution in April 2009. Chen Zhu, then minister of health, served as the convener.