If you've been watching the news, you've probably heard reports about the adverse reactions and deaths linked to the use of heparin, a blood thinner, manufactured by Chinese drug suppliers. It is thought that these adverse reactions and deaths might be related to a contaminant called oversulfated chondroitin sulfate, which has been found in heparin in 11 different countries that can be sourced to Chinese drug companies. Although Chinese regulators acknowledge that the contaminant can be linked to Chinese suppliers, they do not believe that it is responsible for the heparin-related deaths in the United States. Still, this situation highlights a larger problem regarding public health - how can we ensure that the food and drugs we important from other countries are safe?

Last week, as reported in Reuters, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt announced that the U.S. Health and Human Services agency is preparing to establish an office in China to strengthen oversight of imported food, drugs, and devices (remember the high lead levels in toys manufactured in China?). Secretary Leavitt stated that, while sending inspectors to China and establishing safety regulations may help to improve quality, a new industry of global independent certification is needed to ensure that imported goods meet American standards.

In a related story, China drafted a not-yet approved food safety law that would call for penalties, including life imprisonment, for people found to be responsible for producing substandard food.