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The Chinese government is urgently working to put a halt to price hikes in SARS-affected areas by launching a nationwide check on excessive charges for drugs and goods related to the battle against the flu-like disease.
In recent days, the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has led to raised prices of some drugs by 3-6 times in such areas as Shanxi, Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia.
The government-led nationwide scrutiny will target overpricing of anti-virus, antibiotic and immunity enhancing drugs, herbal medicine, raw herbal materials, anti-SARS medical equipment and consumables, staple foods and other foodstuffs.
The State Development and Reform Commission (SDRC) said on Tuesday in an emergency notice that it will severely punish those profiteers who violate the price law to take advantage of SARS fears.
Local authorities around the country have already shut down some drug stores and clinics who excessively boost charges, sell fake drugs or make false advertisements.
The SDRC and another four central government departments have jointly issued an urgent circular to put an upper limit on prices and set the profit margin for drug producers and distributors in some areas. They also planned to transport an adequate supply of drugs and goods to those areas within 24 hours.
(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2003)
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