7 Sentenced in China For Producing Toxic Gel Medicine Capsules

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7 people in China have been sentenced up to 11 years in jail for producing chromium-laced gel medicine capsules. The case first came to light in April 2012 , when Chinese authorities arrested 72 people for producing drug capsules produced from industrial grade gelatin rendered from leather processing.

Who: Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA).

When: February 6, 2013; 2010-2012.

Where: Zhejiang province, China.

How: Investigation by the China Food and Drug Administration (SFDA).

Additional details: Chromium(III) salts are used in both leather tanning processes and for gelatin emulsions in photographic developing. High concentrations of chromium can lead to DNA damage, according to Wikipedia.

Related sources:

“ China sentences 7 to prison for making and selling toxic gel capsules in drug scandal,” Washington Post. February 6, 2013.

“ Seven jailed for toxic gel capsules that rocked China’s pharmaceutical industry,” South China Morning Post. Februrary 7, 2013.

“ China sentences 7 to prison for producing toxic gels capsules.,” CTV News. February 6, 2013.

“ China detains 22 in toxic medicine scandal.,” Associated Foreign Press. April 16, 2012.