Singapore: The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) recently announced that Taiwan and China have reached a concrete consensus in new drug research and development.

According to reports, during his recent China visit, the Taiwan health minister, Mr Shiu Ming-neng met with Chinese agencies to advocate cooperation in clinical trials of new drugs.

It is said that both Chinese and Taiwanese health officials mutually agreed to avoid duplication of tests by cooperating in clinical trials of drugs, recognition of clinical data and drug inspection.

Ms Wu Mei-hung, deputy minister, MAC said, "This would simplify screening and approval procedure for drugs. We have also exchanged views on Ebola prevention and control, however, we are yet to start any R&D for drugs or vaccine for the disease."

She added that Taiwan's medical expertise would help China leverage the lucrative Asia markets. She noted that both the countries in unison had already achieved concrete results in prevention and control of communicable diseases.