FDA chief meets Chinese govt health leaders

Andrew von Eschenbach, the US Food and Drug Administration's Commissioner, has met with senior representatives of the Chinese Health Ministry and other relevant bodies, to discuss the safety of products exported from China to the USA. The meeting is part of a process, which has intensified in recent months, to improve the oversight of food and drug imports into the USA (Marketletter October 15).

The FDA chief met with Zhu Chen, China's Minister of Health, State Food and Drug Administrator Shao Mingli and Vice Minister Chanzhong Wei of the Chinese General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. During his visit, both Dr von Eschenbach and Deputy Commissioner Murray Lumpkin were shown around the SFDA's Shanghai laboratories.

Dr von Eschenbach said: "our discussions were very productive. Minister Chen, Commissioner Shao and Vice Minister Wei are distinguished leaders."