Health Law and Regulation

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Mike Leavitt and other representatives of the U.S. government are meeting with representatives of the government of the People’s Republic of China to request rapid action related to the safety of food and drugs. U.S. officials are emphasizing the need for three things: to have better cooperation, to have better information, and to have the Chinese devise and enforce regulations agreed upon and understood by the U.S.

In coming months, both countries will participate in a series of bilateral meetings on food and drug safety. Two Memoranda of Agreements (MOA) will be developed between the governments — one on the safety of food and feed and another on the safety of drugs and medical devices.

The meetings and the MOAs to be developed are important steps forward in addressing problems with food and other imports from China, which investigations by the Food and Drug Administration have brought to light. U.S. regulatory agencies are concerned about what they see as an insufficient infrastructure across the board in China to assure the safety, quality and effectiveness of many products exported to the United States.

HHS hopes to achieve two, strong, action-oriented documents by December by combining technology, scientific expertise and commitment from each country.

Source: United States Department of Health and Human Services, July 30, 2007

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