5 jailed for sale of counterfeit drugs
The proliferation of counterfeit drugs on the global market and easy availability via online pharmacies is an increasing problem. The makers of counterfeit drugs have enjoyed and profited from loopholes in a system designed to deliver healthy medicines to those in need. The rising cost of prescription medications and the ubiquitous presence of online and overseas pharmacies means more people than ever are threatened by these counterfeiting operations.
GUANGZHOU: Five employees of Qiqihar No 2 Pharmaceutical Co Ltd were given jail terms ranging from four to seven Tuesday yesterday for producing and selling counterfeit drugs.
Thirteen people at a hospital in Guangzhou died of kidney failure in April 2005 after being given drugs made by the Heilongjiang-based company.
The company's general manager Yin Jiade, deputy general managers Zhu Chuanhua and Guo Xingping, laboratory chief Chen Guifen, and chemical purchaser Niu Zhongren were all charged with "criminal offenses".
By Qiu Quanlin
30 April 2008