China. (Region Watch).

For pharmaceutical companies and research groups, China has become the newest hotspot for testing drug candidates. One reason is the country's large volume of untreated citizens, which make available candidates for phase III drug trials. Another factor is that the State Drug Association (SDA) of China, which performs the same function as the FDA, applies the same standards of quality to the drug approval process as its counterparts in Europe and the US, only is it much more efficient. Researchers are required to work in conjunction with the SDA and SDA approvals average two to four years, while approvals of the FDA average seven to ten years. One problem with the Chinese drug market though is counterfeit and poor quality drugs, partly caused by disregard for patents and copyrights and the bribing of local officials. The Chinese government is, however, taking steps to solve this problem by closing some 1,300 counterfeit factories last year and by issuing a mandate in 2001 that requires all drug manufacturers to adopt Good Manufacturing Practices by the end of 2004 to remain in business.

Source: Pharmaceutical Formulation Quality