The 2004 Work Conference on National New Rural Cooperative Healthcare Pilot Projects was held on October 22-23, 2004. Ren Dequan, deputy commissioner of the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), delivered a theme speech that dealt with the efforts of nationwide food and drug administrations to strengthen drug supervision in rural areas and promote the development and improvement of new rural cooperative healthcare systems.

Earlier this year, SFDA set out detailed plans for "strengthening the building of drug supervision network and drug supply network in rural areas". Under the unified leadership of SFDA, nationwide (food and) drug administrations implemented a set of uniform principles, missions and measures, which contributed to the development of the new rural cooperative healthcare system and made sure that rural residents could use drugs safely, effectively, economically and conveniently.