China recalls leukaemia drugs in latest safety crisis

CHINESE authorities ordered the recall of leukaemia drugs blamed for leg pains and other problems, the latest crisis to strike the country’s food and drug industries.

Most of the drugs involved — methotrexate and cytarabin hydrochloride — have been recovered and authorities have traced the remainder, the Xinhua News Agency said.

Authorities have banned the sale and distribution of the drugs, produced by the Shanghai Hualian Pharmaceutical Co, it said.