Manufacturers stop production of essential medicines after price controls

China's pharmaceutical manufacturers have stopped production of important essential medicines after price controls limited how much they could charge and profit from them, the government has conceded.
The National Health and Family Planning Commission has announced that it is now "working on a new mechanism to balance the economic interests of pharmaceuticals and the public demand for affordable and effective drugs," according to spokesman Mao Qun'an.
The move follows growing shortages of important but unprofitable drugs such as those for hyperthyroidism. In the China Daily, a report details how locally-produced anti-thyroid treatments such as methimazole (Tapazole) are no longer available for the 10 million people in China who have an overactive thyroid. Many hospitals can no longer access Chinese-made products and have to buy imported products instead.
The pricing for listed essential drugs such as Tapazole has been strictly controlled under a system introduced in 2009, but this has resulted in small profit margins for drug producers, and many of the 13 pharmaceutical companies producing the drug in China have ceased production.
Shortages of Tapazole have been noted in regional areas, but until now supply has not been a problem for major hospitals in big cities, many of which use imported drug.
The spokesman for the National Health and Family Planning Commission said: "Under a market economy, all stakeholders need to cooperate and negotiate a balance to prevent similar problems from happening again in a bid to secure the drug supply."

Hyperthyroidism diagnosis for Jet Li

Actor Jet Li says he’s being treated for an overactive thyroid, but he’s determined to fight the condition head-on.
The Chinese action star known for his kung fu skills discussed his diagnosis during the taping of a talent show he’s judging in China.
In Tuesday’s taping, the 50-year-old Li appeared to have a fuller face and heavier frame.
He said his weight has fluctuated but he’s taking it all in stride. Li joked about his weight and said, “I’m fat. I don’t have the time to lose it. It’s a fact!”
He explained that exercise is not advised with the medication he’s taking. An overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, causes changes in a person’s metabolism and heart rate, among other symptoms, but is generally treatable with medications.
Li was diagnosed in 2010. He kept his condition under control with medication, but it came back with a vengeance recently.

Poor rural infants to be screened for PKU, thyroid and hearing disorders

China will start screening for three major diseases among infants in poor rural areas next month, said the National Health and Family Planning Commission here on Friday.
The free screening targets phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism and hearing disorder and will cover about 490,000 rural newborns in 200 poverty-stricken counties of 21 provincial regions, said a commission statement.
Those who are diagnosed with the diseases will receive treatment and medical assistance from the state, according to the statement.
Phenylketonuria, also known as PKU, is a metabolic genetic disorder that can lead to learning disability, seizures and other medical problems. If patients can be diagnosed at an early age and get proper treatment, the symptoms may not develop and they can have a normal life.
Congenital hypothyroidism is another metabolic disorder under which an infant is born with a severe deficiency of thyroid function. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent growth failure and mental retardation caused by the condition.
The central government will allocate a special fund for this program, 120 yuan (19 U.S. dollars) for each infant, the statement said.
Additionally, the commission will dispatch free dietary nutrition supplements to infants from six to 24 months in 300 poor counties so as to reduce incidence of anemia and stunting.
Source: China Daily

One in ten pregnant Chinese women have disease that may cause miscarriage or premature delivery

One in every 10 pregnant women with thyroid disease may experience miscarriage, fetal death, premature delivery or problems with their baby’s intelligence without proper diagnosis and treatment, Shanghai medical experts have said.

“Screening of thyroid function before and during early pregnancy is important for early detection and intervention for children’s health,” said Dr Duan Tao, president of Shanghai No. 1 Maternity and Child Health Hospital.

He said a domestic survey found over 80 percent of pregnant women with thyroid disease didn’t get a timely diagnosis that would come from a proper screening for risk factors. Duan recommended more screening of pregnant women for thyroid diseases.

A recently issued guideline has suggested hospitals screen women for thyroid disease within eight weeks in pregnancy.

Source: Shanghai Daily