‘ It’s not safe to store and use foreign medicines’

Li Qing, senior director of Over- The- Counter Medical Affairs and Medical Education at Xi’an Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

First, prescription medicines that are only available in other countries must not be used in China, because those treatments require the approval of a physician, based on their professional diagnosis and treatment recommendations for each individual patient. This not only ensures the effectiveness of treatment, but also the patient’s safety. The dosage, ingredients and methods of use for similar medications may vary between China and other countries, so it is not safe to store and use foreign medicines.

Second, the ingredients decide whether you can use over- the- counter medicines. Many medicines manufactured overseas contain many of the same ingredients as those made in China, but the concentration of active ingredients may be higher than the recommended dosage in China. It is strongly recommended that parents and patients consult a physician before using any foreign- made OTC medicines.

Third, the language barrier may mean parents fail to understand the instruction pamphlets included in packs of foreign- made medicines, which could result in incorrect doses or administration which could put their children at risk. Li Qing spoke with Yang Wanli.