Judicial warmth does not solve medicines problem

A CHINESE LEUKEMIA patient named Lu Yong, who was arrested for reportedly purchasing unlicensed anticancer drugs overseas for himself and other patients via an illegal credit card, was released on Jan 29 in Yuanjiang, Hunan province. Comments:

The key concern in Lu's case should be related to a common institutional dilemma in the country, rather than the clash between more than 300 leukemia patients' appealing for his pardon and the current law deeming his purchase illegal. If they are still unable to enjoy support system, the release of Lu will not make much difference to their treatment because of the problems of the costly imported drugs and limited coverage of the medical insurance system.

Beijing Times, Feb 1