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The article reports that a white paper outlining the status of drug supervision in China has been released by the country's State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA). It is noted that China has a nationwide information network for monitoring adverse drug reactions (ADRs) since 2002, making electronic and real-time reporting feasible. Other activities undertaken by the SFDA include the establishment of a drug classification system.

The article reports on the reduction in pharmaceutical prices in China, according to the Chinese National Reform and Development Commission. Several anti-infectives of which retail prices have been decreased include antifungals and antibacterials. Reasons for the price cuts are cited, including reducing patient costs.

China's economic growth over the last two decades has been truly remarkable. Averaging near double--digit percentage growth each year, it is now the second largest economy in the world based on gross domestic product (GDP) and is expected, one day, to overtake the USA and become the largest. China's growth has been predominantly export driven and centred in manufacturing, especially since joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2001. This article looks at how the rise of China has impacted on the UK's international trade and investment and also how the continuing development of China may affect these in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a passive surveillance study initiated by China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention which found that their pandemic influenza A virus H1N1 vaccines have been generally well tolerated.