Hainan Medical Zone speeds up approval of imported medicine, medical devices

SHANGHAI - China's Hainan Province is said to have streamlined the approval of imported medicine and medical equipment in its medical pilot zone, shortening the approval process to no more than three days.

China's State newsagency, Xinhua, says that, so far, authorities have approved 51 types of imported medicine and medical equipment in urgent clinical need to be used at Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Bo'ao, a town near the island's east coast.

Hainan to date has attracted pharmaceutical enterprises such as Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic and Sanofi to settle in the pilot zone, according to the provincial drug watchdog.  www.webershandwick.cn (ATI).