A Comparison Between China and U.S. Drug Laws

Abstract

The People's Republic of China, with one quarter of the world's population, has a long and rich pharmaceutical history. While drug regulation in China can be traced back three thousand years, the current major drug control law was enacted in 1984. By way of contrast, the United States is a relatively young country; however, it has a highly developed system of pharmaceutical regulation.

Major differences between the two systems include the impact of traditional Chinese medicine on the system in China, different systems of responsibility for drug control in the two countries, more stringent regulation of drug manufacturing and distribution in the United States, and the relative lack of a substance abuse problem in China. Drawing on the highly developed regulatory system in the United States, suggestions are offered to assist in perfecting drug regulation in the People's Republic of China.