Death toll over fake drug rises to 9 in China

Nine people have died from using fake drug made by a Chinese pharmaceutical company in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, hospital sources said Monday.

The nine people were confirmed dead from using the fake Armillarisni A injection made by the Qiqihar No. 2 Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., said officials with the Third Hospital affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University in South China's Guangdong Province.

The fake drug causes pain at alimentary canal and stomach and brings damage to kidney, nervous system and liver.

Among the victims, five had been confirmed dead from using the fake drug by May 16.

The hospital is the only one in Guangdong Province that purchased the drug. It has identified 64 patients who used the fake drug.

Liao Xinbo, vice-director of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Health, said nine out of 18 people who used the fake drug before they died were believed to be killed by the drug.

The other nine may have died from diseases and other reasons, Liao said.

Five patients who fell ill over the fake drug are recovering in the hospital, said vice president of the hospital Cai Daozhang.

Source: Xinhua