Court Sentences China's Former FDA Chief to Death

The Associated Press is reporting China has sentenced a drug regulator to death for bribery and corruption charges.

Former chief Zheng Xiaoyu was accused of allowing substandard medicines to be approved, resulting in at least 10 deaths.

Zheng was found guilty of taking more than $832,000 in gifts and cash during his time as director. His corruption lead 8 companies around drug approval standards, to get their product to market, according to the Associated Press. Zheng was convicted by the No. 1 Intermediate People's Court.

The Associated Press quoted the official Xinhua News Agency as saying about Zheng, (he) "greatly undermined ... the efficiency of China's drug monitoring and supervision, endangered public life and health and had a very negative social impact."

Xinhua went on to say the massive amount of bribes and suffering he exposed the country to, makes death an appropriate penalty, according to the Associated Press.

It was reported by the Associated Press that last year an anti-biotic which Zheng's office approved, was responsible for 10 deaths. It was removed from the market.

During his time as chief administrator, there were 6 different medicines that got approval that were fake. Drug companies were able to apply for drug approvals using fake documents, according to the Associated Press.

China's government wants to set up a recall system. A first for China. Beijing is trying to address the issue of tainted pet food ingredients along with other unsafe Chinese products. They are trying to alleviate the domestic and international alarm being raised over this.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu was quoted by the Associated Press as saying,"The Chinese government attaches great importance to the safety and security of food." She also said,"We stand ready to work with the international community to safeguard the quality and reputation of the Chinese food industry."

It is not yet known whether Zheng will appeal the sentence. Chinese law says mandates the case to be reviewed by a higher court. The state supreme court has the final say, according to the Associated Press.