Two more detained in fake diabetes drug deaths in China

SHENYANG, Feb. 5 (Chinese media) -- Two people have been

detained in Liaoning Province in connection with the sale of a fake diabetes

drug that killed two patients and left nine others in the hospital, provincial

authorities said Thursday.

Chinese police earlier said that five other suspects

had been arrested in Xinjiang in connection with the case, and an arrest warrant

had also been issued for the prime suspect.

The drug, sold under the brand "Tang Zhi Ning Jiao

Nang," was found to contain six times the normal dose of glibenclamide, which is

used to help lower blood sugar. Two patients died after taking the fake drug in

the far western region of Xinjiang.

Li Bing, one of the suspects, was taken into custody

by police in Chaoyang City, where the authorities confiscated 1,025 bottles of

the drug. Local police are investigating the source of the deadly medicine.

Wang Peng, an employee of a drug company, was

detained Sunday in Shenyang, the provincial capital, allegedly for involvement

in the sale of 345 bottles of the same drug. Police seized another 30 bottles

from his home.

Wang told police he bought the fake drug from a man

named Li Dong.

The Ministry of Public Security issued an arrest

warrant Thursday for Li Dong, described by the ministry as the chief suspect. He

was identified as Li Bing's brother.

Besides Liaoning and Xinjiang, the fake drug has also

shown up in southwestern Sichuan Province. However, no one has been found to

have fallen ill after taking the drug outside Xinjiang.

Authorities have said initial investigations showed

that the drug was not produced in Xinjiang, but they have so far failed to find

its source.