Former deputy director of top drug regulator abused his power, investigations claim

Chen Shifei, former deputy director of the National Medical Products Administration — China's top drug regulator — was found to have abused his power by turning public authority into a tool for personal gain and utilized his position for personal profit in handling matters such as drug production permits by illegally accepting large sums of money, according to investigations.

The Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision announced in February that he was under investigation for suspected serious violations of Party discipline and national laws.

According to a statement released by China's top anti-corruption watchdogs on Wednesday, Chen has accepted gifts, money, and consumption cards in violation of regulations. Besides attending banquets and travel activities against the rules, he also has engaged in profit-making activities improperly and obtained substantial returns through private lending.

Furthermore, he even engaged in profit-making activities related to his former official responsibilities after retirement, it added.

Public information shows that the 63-year-old, a native of Zhejiang province, graduated with a degree in pharmacy in 1983 from China Pharmaceutical University in Nanjing, Jiangsu province.

He had been serving in the drug regulation bureau in Zhejiang province for a long time before being promoted as deputy director of the National Medical Products Administration in 2018. He retired in 2022.

According to the statement, Chen has been expelled form the Party and his case has been handed over to the procuratorial organs for examination and prosecution in accordance with the law. Also, his illegal gains have been confiscated.