Confusion in China over medicine suspected of containing HIV

  • 5 years ago
There has been yet another medical scandal in China. This time, thousands of blood plasma treatments are suspected of being contaminated with HIV.
For more on this and other stories from around the world, we turn to our Oh Soo-young.
So, Soo-young, I understand there has been some public confusion over this issue.

That's right, Aram. The scandal broke out on Tuesday when Beijing's health commission sent out a statement to hospitals,... that a batch of treatments for antibody deficiencies,... was suspected to be tainted with HIV,... which is the virus that causes AIDS.
A provisional commission had said the plasma tested positive for HIV,... which is why national authorities ordered further tests.
Local media have reported that the faulty batch includes more than 12-thousand bottles of plasma,... which are due to expire in two years' time.
The products have been distributed nationwide,... so medical institutions across China have been asked to stop using them during the probe.
So far, there have been no reports of patients who have been affected by the allegedly contaminated treatments.
And on Wednesday, after the warning was initially issued,... authorities have tried to reassure the public that the batch has been recalled,... production stopped,... and that further tests for HIV came up negative.
So, some mixed messages there,... but another definite blow to public faith in China's health services.

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