China to simplify approval procedures for crude drug import

BEIJING — China has released a guideline to shorten approval procedures for crude drug imports, according to the National Medical Products Administration on May 17.

Coming into effect next January, the guideline aims at encouraging the import of crude drugs to supplement China’s crude drug resources.

To simplify approval procedures, the country will implement classified management of imported crude drugs, the guideline said.

Provincial drug inspection bodies will replace the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control as the approval authorities for crude drugs imported for the first time, whereas the approval procedures for those imported a second time will be shortened according to their risk levels.

Meanwhile, the guideline urged drug regulators to strengthen supervision, with stricter regulations and standards to be launched.

China introduced a registration and approval system for imported crude drugs in 1999. Various types of ginseng are dominant in crude drug imports.