Closer scrutiny of China, India medicines
Updated
![The makers of medicine raw materials will come under closer scrutiny under a United States, Europe and Australian agreement. [Radio Australia]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/base/drugs_image_220207_ra.jpg "The makers of medicine raw materials will come under closer scrutiny under a United States, Europe and Australian agreement. [Radio Australia]")
The makers of medicine raw materials will come under closer scrutiny under a United States, Europe and Australian agreement. [Radio Australia]
The United States has announced it'll join forces with Australia and Europe to inspect factories in foreign countries that are making medications.
Washington Correspondent, Kim Landers, reports that factories in countries such as China and India are producing much of the world's pharmaceutical raw materials, but aren't always subject to safety inspections.
The Bush Administration has announced it'll work with Australian and European officials to coordinate their inspections and share results.
The pilot program will initially focus on makers of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
The US Health Secretary Mike Leavitt says facilities will be inspected more often.
Two people died in the US and hundreds of others had severe allergic reactions after the blood thinner Heparin was contaminated in a Chinese factory.
