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Cuba-China: health and biotechnology
collaboration
Lisandra Fariñas Acosta
With
the aim of strengthening cooperation between Cuba
and China in regards to public health and
biotechnology, a delegation from the China Food and
Drug Administration (CDFA) headed by Minister Zhang
Yong, visited the installations of the Cuban Center
for State Control of Drugs, Equipment and Medical
Devices (CECMED).
During the visit, the delegates toured the new
installations of the medical regulatory authority of
the Republic of Cuba where the state of the art
technology and excellent laboratory conditions
ensure clinical trials which result in the highest
quality control of the products.
Minister Yong was invited by the Cuban Health
Minister, Dr. Roberto Morales Ojeda, following the
plans set out for greater cooperation between the
two countries in the agreement signed in July during
President Xi Jinping’s visit to the island.
Welcoming the Chinese delegation, Dr. Rafael Pérez
Cristiá, CECMED director, highlighted that
cooperation between CECMED and CFDA in the areas of
medicine and biotechnological products began in
2001, with the signing of an agreement by the
directives of the two bodies, which has since been
periodically updated.
Dr.
Pérez Cristiá also noted that clinical trials of
Cuban medicines such as Heberprot-P, Itolizumab, a
monoclonal antibody used to treat autoimmune
diseases, and the EGF vaccine for the treatment of
lung cancer, are currently taking place in China.
Nimotuzumab, a monoclonal antibody used to treat
stomach cancer is also in the process of being
registered in China. “These are products which have
had a huge impact on Cuban health and we are sure
that they will benefit the health of this sister
nation,” Pérez Cristiá commented.
A
total of 98 Chinese products and 12 suppliers are
registered in Cuba, corresponding to 41
pharmaceutical specialties.
Minister Yong expressed his satisfaction with the
visit and reiterated the intention to continue to
collaborate and advance the friendly relations
between Cuba and China, stating that, “We hope that
many more of these new products will enter the
Chinese market.”
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