Drug watchdog suspends imports to China of Pfizer injection

Want China Times, Xinhua 2014-01-01

Pfizer's company logo. (Photo/CFP)

China's drug watchdog has decided to stop importing an injection from Pfizer, as the US pharmaceutical maker failed in a supplementary application for drug exports.

China will not import Pfizer's Fluconazole injection, used to treat monilial infection, until the company makes correction, the State Food and Drug Administration announced on Tuesday.

The administration said it recently inspected Pfizer's Amboise factory in France and found that the factory did not submitted relevant supplementary applications in accordance with Chinese law and regulations.

The administration had invited staff from the company for a meeting, it said.

It urged overseas pharmaceutical companies to strictly abide by relevant Chinese laws and regulations on drugs and warned them not to adopt "differentiated treatment" policies in technological standards and drug quality.

Those who violate Chinese laws and regulations will be warned or banned from exporting drugs to or selling drugs in the country, according to the administration.

Regarding the import ban, Pfizer said in a statement on Tuesday that the problem does not involve safety and quality. Pfizer respects and values China's laws and regulations and has taken correction measures, it said, adding that it will continue to cooperate with the country's drug authorities to ensure all its overseas factories supplying the Chinese market meet the legal requirements.