CRI听力:China has Prepared Antiviral Drugs to Fight A/H1N1 Influenza

A spokeswoman from the agency says that China has finished the preparation for the flu vaccine research and production.

Our reporter Zhangcheng has more.(www.hxen.net)

Yan Jiangying says a vaccine is seen as the most effective way to prevent A/H1N1 flu.

However, the World Health Organization has not announced the key to the vaccine---the virus strain.

Yan says China is well prepared for the research and production of the flu vaccine.

"Once the virus strain is officially announced by WHO, Chinese pharmaceutical factories can start production of the vaccine within 45 days, and could finish production in 4 to 6 months."

At present, Tamiflu and Relenza are internationally recognized as the most effective drug to cure influenza.

Both drugs are produced by foreign Pharmaceutical factories while China has acquired their import licensing.

At the same time, she says Chinese drug companies are quickening their pace on developing their own anti-virus drugs.

"China's self-developed new antivirus drug has finished its phase 1 study. Moreover, Chinese herbal and chemical medicines are available for flu patients. Chinese enterprises have sufficient capacity to manufacture the medicines."

In the face of the uNPRedictable epidemic, China has worked out a special approval procedure for the antivirus drugs.

The spokeswoman points out the special procedure will help put into use those antivirus drugs with no delay.

Moreover, an expert panel will support the special procedure with professional, reliable information.

"We have established an expert panel to strengthen the research and approval of the antivirus drugs. The panel will promptly provide the drug companies and government with the latest information and techniques."

As part of the emergency system to prevent A/H1N1 flu, the procedure will take effect after the WHO raises the pandemic level or the first confirmed case comes out in China.

She says by doing so, the impact of emergency public health response can be lowered to a minimum extent.

Zhangcheng, CRI News.