The same state-owned company produces many other drugs and exports them to dozens of countries worldwide. But according to the International Herald Tribune, Shangai Hualian refuses to confirm whether it exports drugs other than RU-486 to the United States. Nor will the company even comment on the tainted medicine.

Obviously this is bad news, but what's even scarier is that it's not really news. Two and a half years ago, another investigation of tainted Chinese drugs revealed at least nine deaths in the northeastern city of Qiqihar. Cheap, sub-par, and even toxic substances were being used in place of the recommended ingredients for a host of drugs, including a pain-killing enema for children.

When stories like this hit the press, they create a temporary panic until the next story breaks, and we tend to forget all about Chinese drugs to focus on a new strain of Avian Flu or a lethal children's toy. Naturally this doesn't mean we shouldn't pay attention to this most recent scandal. It just means we might be wise to continue paying attention to it, whether it's "news" or merely part of the background in this modern world. To borrow the brilliant (and now, largely forgotten) slogan of the AIDS fight: Silence = Death.