Low Cost AIDS Drugs 

China is mulling over using mandatory licensing for AIDS drugs to secure their low price as the nation's health authority is preparing to expand coverage for the preventive antiretroviral therapy (ART).

This therapy, which is currently free only for full-blown AIDS patients, will be offered free to couples with one partner having HIV/AIDS and the other being negative, which are estimated at 30,000 on the mainland, said Hao Yang, Deputy Director of the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of the Ministry of Health. Studies have shown that if an effective ART regimen is kept by those who are HIV positive but has not developed full-blown AIDS, risks of transmitting the virus to their uninfected sexual partner can be reduced by 96 percent.

Levelling the Playing Field

Key rules favoring Chinese companies in government procurement of computers and other technology, which was claimed to be discriminatory by foreign companies, was scrapped from July 1, 2011, according to the Ministry of Finance.

To encourage indigenous innovation in the technology and energy sector, the country introduced a series of policies since 2006 and gave certified Chinese companies better access to government purchasing orders.

The removal of such policies was praised by foreign companies as it allows them better access to China's domestic market.

Fighting Fakes

According to the notice from China's quality supervision agency, the country will strengthen supervision over six types of export products, in order to clamp down on infringement of property rights and counterfeiting.

The involved major types are toys, clothes, footwear, small household appliances, furniture, bags and suitcases, according to Wang Xin, an official from the General Administration of Quality, Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

He explained that a special campaign against IPR infringement has been launched since last October, aimed at creating a better environment for foreign investors. Counterfeits and inferior goods have become the direct targets for crackdowns. As a result, the quality of Chinese products is further guaranteed.

The campaign has led to uncovering 33,924 cases of irregularities, closing 1,200 counterfeiting networks and confiscating 1.14 billion yuan ($176 million) worth of fake products, he added.

Chemical Banned   

The use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in the production of infant feeding bottles is prohibited in China, as regulated by the Ministry of Health, and five other ministries.

The regulation became effective on June 1, 2011. Imports and sales of infant feeding bottles containing BPA will be banned from September 1, 2011. Those already sold should be recalled by producers or import agents.

Local food security inspectors are required to be vigilant against any possible violations of the ban.

Researches say BPA, an organic compound used to make polycarbonate plastic and other materials may lead to premature sexual development in children. Such chemicals are widely used in manufacturing infant feeding bottles, tableware and beverage containers.

Solid Waste Crackdown

A new regulation to enhance oversight of solid waste imports was jointly announced by five ministries, including the Ministry of Environmental Protection and General Administration of Customs.

According to the regulation, it is not permitted to dump and treat solid waste from other countries in China. Transformation of hazardous solid waste is banned and imports of waste that may incur environmental problems are strictly prohibited. Effective from April 1, 2011, the regulation also requires that enterprises involved in the processing of imported solid waste must take care to avoid pollution during the procedure.

According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection, over 40 million tons of solid waste were imported last year, which would be used as raw materials after processing in some factories.