Backlog in drug approvals reduced

The backlog of drug registration cases in China has been substantially reduced, with 9,000 applications awaiting approval, compared with a peak of 22,000 last year, a senior official said.

"Reforms are underway to speed up the drug evaluation and registration process to improve public access to advanced treatments," said Li Jinju, deputy director of the China Food and Drug Administration's drug and cosmetics registration department.

"But safety and quality will never be compromised," Li said.