China to monitor all drugs via electronic system

China will keep track of all drugs prescribed by doctors by 2015 by using an electronic monitoring system, according to the country's food and drug safety watchdog.

The system, launched in 2006, applies to 56,000 types of drugs as of the end of February. Another 119,000 types will be covered by the end of 2015, according to a five-year drug supervision plan published by the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA).

Drugs that are part of the country's basic medicine system are already covered by the electronic monitoring network, the SFDA said.

The monitoring system is used to monitor the entire drug production and circulation process, allowing for the timely and effective control of drugs in the event of safety risks, the SFDA said.

The system will also help prevent counterfeit drugs from entering the market, the SFDA said.

China has dealt with several drug and food safety incidents in recent years, leading the government to respond by introducing a series of measures intended to boost food and drug safety.