China's Ministry of Health will intensify its crackdown on bribery in hospitals, according to a report in Wednesday's People's Daily.

Bribery in hospitals has increased in some areas of China, seriously undermining people's interests and the image of medical professionals, according to the report.

The ministry will work to stop doctors receiving kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies while strictly prohibiting hospital staff from illegally collecting information about prescriptions for commercial purposes, the report quoting an unnamed official said.

Some pharmaceutical companies pay kickbacks and bribes to doctors and hospital staff to boost the sales of their drugs.

Some medical equipment-makers have also been involved in similar schemes.

Those found to have accepted bribes will be punished according to the relevant laws and rules, the official said.

Punishments may include the suspension or revocation of medical licenses in serious cases, the official added.

According to the report, the ministry has asked provincial health administrative agencies to establish a register system for cases of bribery in the medical industry and make the cases known to the public.

Provincial health authorities, local hospitals and medical organizations may not purchase products from enterprises that have been involved in bribery within the last two years, the report said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2010)