China uncovered 1,001 commercial bribery cases in its health sector in 2007, according to the Ministry of Health on March 21.

The cases investigated involved bribery in the purchase and distribution of drug and medical equipment and medical services involving over CNY 31 million (about US$4.5 million), said Li Xi, head of CPC's Discipline Inspection Team of China stationed in the Ministry of Health.

Vice Minister of Health Chen Xiaohong said that the health sector must maintain an independent online drug purchase tender system, which is under government guidance, in order to standardize the drug purchasing process and to reduce prices. 

So far, 20 provinces have set up this system, according to Chen. In 2007, 14,046 medical institutions have been incorporated into the drug procurement system, involving about 85% of the total drugs consumed by hospitals in the country.