Vice Premier Wu Yi apologized to law makers yesterday for failing to keep soaring medical expenses in check.

"People are dissatisfied, and I feel guilty for that. I should apologize to you," Wu said at a panel discussion with law makers on the sidelines of the Fifth Session of the 10th National People's Congress.

Wu, who successfully steered China's negotiations to join the World Trade Organization, is the only female vice premier in China's cabinet. Her jurisdiction includes health and medical services.

Rising medical expenses have become one of Chinese people's major concerns. Frequent accidents caused by substandard food and medicine have added to people's misery.

"Food and drug safety concerns people's health and life safety, " Wu said, pledging the government will make the utmost efforts to tackle problems.

Nearly 70 percent of China's food producers are small factories or workshops. More than 85 percent of China's drug manufacturers are small companies with annual sales revenue of less than 100 million yuan (US$12.9 million).

She promised that the government will tighten supervision over small workshops, food stores, stalls and eateries this year.