context: Food and drug regulation reform has been a top priority for the past two decades. In 1998, State Drug Administration (SDA) was formed, and in 2003 it was given responsibility over food regulation. In 2008, SDA was merged with the former Ministry of Health, and in 2013, CFDA was created. At the Two Sessions in March 2018, new food and drug reform is expected.
The food and drug system could face a new round of reforms in 2018, with two main possibilities, reports Southern Weekly. To form a professional and unified market supervision mechanism, State Council may create a new General Administration of Market Supervision (GAMS), merging China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) with State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) and General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ). Alternatively, National Health and Family Planning Commission could take responsibility for regulations on drug and medical devices, with food regulation being incorporated into GAMS. The Central Leading Small Group for Comprehensive Deepening Reform is researching this classified plan without involving the above government agencies in the decision, according to sources close to CFDA. The plan will be more clear after the second plenary session of the 19th Party Central Committee, reveals an anonymous CFDA official.
Earlier personnel changes signaled the possible reform. Two vice-ministers responsible for food regulation, Guo Wenqi 郭文奇 and Teng Jiacai 滕佳才 left for other departments in March and May 2017. Shang Yong 尚勇 joined CFDA in September 2017 as vice-minister but with minister ranking, implying the high profile of CFDA, according to the paper. Surprisingly, CFDA was not included in the inter-departmental coordination meeting on market supervision formed in November 2017, leading to speculation of its imminent dissolution.