China’s State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) is gearing up for a transparency overhaul, with its head, Shao Mingli, unveiling a slate of reforms aimed at bolstering public and media scrutiny. Scheduled for the latter half of 2007, the agency will initiate a series of regular press conferences, marking a significant step towards openness and accountability in the regulatory sphere.
In a bid to prevent complacency and foster a dynamic work environment, the SFDA has also introduced a new personnel rotation policy. This innovative measure stipulates that officials in key roles, such as evaluation, approval, licensing, certification, personnel, and accounting, will be required to rotate positions every five years. For those in higher echelons, the frequency is even more stringent, with a three-year rotation mandate.
Shao Mingli further elaborated on the agency’s commitment to enhanced supervision by revealing plans for a new system of specialist panels. These panels will be tasked with clear responsibilities, allowing the public a transparent window into the duties and performance of SFDA officials. This initiative is expected to be rolled out imminently, promising a new era of accountability in China’s food and drug regulatory framework.-Fineline Info & Tech
