China reiterates ban on kindergarten drugs

BEIJING - Feed toddlers drugs without authority should be resolutely banned, a Chinese health official said on Tuesday.

Health authorities at local levels have been told to conduct thorough inspections by Thursday, Mao Qun'an, spokesman for the National Health and Family Planning Commission, said at a press conference.

The spokesman's comments come after several Chinese kindergartens have been found giving children antiviral drugs to improve attendance.

Given the health risk, preventive medication for young kids must be practiced with great prudence, in accordance with the law, and under the supervision of medical institutions, Mao stressed.

Also at Tuesday's press conference, the spokesman said that monitoring of human H7N9 infection has revealed no signs of major mutation of the virus and there is little chance of a large-scale outbreak of the disease.