China bans purchasing of wild leopard bones

China imposed a ban on hunting wild leopards and purchasing leopard bones from January 1, 2006. On March 21, 2006 the State Food and Drug Administration issued a notice regarding the use of leopard bones, which specified matters relating to the use of the bones of leopards that belong to an endangered species. It required provincial-level food and drug regulatory departments to timely notify relevant drug manufacturers in their jurisdictions, and supervise and urge them to implement the notice.

<http://www.medicalnewstoday.com>, accessed April 24, 2006