The State Council on Dec 24 approved the establishment of inter-department conferences on reforming the approval system for drugs and medical devices.

The conferences, with participants to include 10 member departments such as the State Food and Drug Administration, the Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Science and Technology, will guide, supervise and evaluate the reforms while discussing issues springing from the process.

Chief officials of the State Food and Drug Administration will be responsible for summoning the conferences, which will convene on a yearly basis.