7 Sentenced in China For Producing Toxic Gel Medicine Capsules

View in larger map

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.