China's drug watchdog has exposed 31 websites in an ongoing crackdown on the illegal selling of drugs on the Internet.

According to a statement released by the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), these illegal sites exaggerated the effects of their fake drugs and sold these products in the name of hospitals or institutions.

The sites included www.hnw999.com, www.bjnxg.com, and www.yy1713.com. Further details can be found at www.sda.gov.cn, the official SFDA website.

These 31 sites have been transferred to law enforcement departments for further investigation and punishment, the statement said.

The SFDA warned that companies needed to have certificates for drug-related trades in order to sell drug products on the Internet, and consumers should always look for a certificate number on the front page of a drug selling website before purchasing medications.

The campaign, which began in late November, is part of a nationwide crackdown on the violation of intellectual property rights and the production and distribution of fake and shoddy products, which began earlier last month.

(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2010)