China will begin administering compulsory tests on each new batch of blood products starting on January 1 of next year, following widespread criticism for distributing untested blood donations, fueling the spread of HIV from subsequent blood transfusions throughout the country.
The new system will require testing by the National Institute for the Control of Pharmaceutical and Biological Products (NICPBP) in Beijing before the blood is sold or imported.
Previously, only parts of blood and biological products were required to be tested. As of 2008, the test will be expanded to all blood products, all vaccines used for disease prevention and most biological products.
"I'm HIV positive and diabetic (as well as have high cholesterol) and some of my meds specify taking them with 'high fat foods' which I have to do twice a day. I've eaten as healthy as possible, but when it comes to high fat foods, I am in a quandary...about what to eat sometimes..."
