China steps up probe into contaminated drug capsules

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　　Inspection teams from several departments, including the police, health authorities and supervision² agencies, have been sent to Zhejiang, Hebei and Jiangxi provinces to supervise the investigation³ of the case, said a statement from the SFDA.

　　China Central Television (CCTV) reported last Sunday that several companies have been manufacturing drug capsules with industrial gelatin, which contains a greater amount of chromium than edible⁴ gelatin and can be toxic⁵ if ingested in excessive amounts. It named several medications that have been packaged in the contaminated capsules.

　　In response to the report, the SFDA ordered 13 medications produced by nine pharmaceutical⁶ companies named in the TV report to be suspended from distribution and use until they are cleared by a lab analysis.

　　An overhaul⁷ has been carried out on the production of drug capsule makers⁸, pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers of gelatin for medical use, the statement said.

　　Those who refuse to cooperate in the investigation and try to cover up malpractice will be severely⁹ punished, the statement said.

　　Supervision agencies have started investigation into officials who might have neglected their duty in this case, it added.` The SFDA also promised to timely inform the public the development of the investigation.

　　Chinese police have detained 53 suspects and closed 10 industrial gelatin and gel capsule factories believed to have been involved in producing contaminated medicine capsules, said the Ministry¹⁰ of Public Security in a Thursday statement.

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