Chinese PM calls for severe punishment in vaccine scandal, Consumer

Mon, Jul 23, 2018 – 10:12 AM

[SHANGHAI] Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called for an immediate investigation into a flawed vaccine scandal that he says has crossed a moral line, and called for severe sanctions for companies and

The scandal erupted a week ago, after the major vaccine manufacturer, Changsheng Biotechnology Co, violated the manufacturing standards of the human rabies vaccine. However, there do not appear to be any reports of people injured by the vaccine or having contracted rabies after receiving it.

The case has angered social media and dealt a blow to the Chinese drug regulator who is struggling to clean up In a statement posted on the government's website late on Sunday, Li said that the public deserved a clear explanation

"We will resolutely repress illegal activities and criminal acts that endanger the lives of people, punish violators in accordance with the law and severely and severely criticize the breach of duty. surveillance, "he said. Sunday night that his investigation had revealed that Changsheng manufactures production records and product inspection records, and arbitrarily changes the parameters of the process and equipment, "serious violations In a stock market statement Sunday, the company said its suspension of rabies vaccine production would have a significant impact on its finances and that some regional disease control agencies had suspended some of its other vaccines. [19659003] Changsheng shares fell to 10 on Friday, 5%, to settle at 14.5 yuan.They have lost 40% of their value since July 13.

An editorial released Monday in the China Daily warned that the case could become a crisis public health if it was not treated "in a reasonable and transparent manner".] "The government must act as soon as possible to let the public know that it is resolved to e solve the problem and will mercilessly punish all the perpetrators, "he said.

"Those who dare to question the financial results At the end of the day, the official Xinhua News Agency has published an editorial calling for harsh penalties for all violations, large or small, in the US. vaccine industry and for regulators. "

The China Securities News also weighed in, saying that listed companies – like Changsheng Biotechnology – have a duty to the public and conduct business with integrity.

Angsheng Biotechnology , where laws and regulations are ignored and internal controls exist only in the name bring a painful price. "State media said the listed company made a public apology and recalled all their rabies vaccines available on the market.

REUTERS