China plans to carry out on-the-spot checks of drug production processes in pharmaceutical companies, according to the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA).

On-the-spot sample tests will be carried out to check the whole manufacturing process from raw materials through to production procedures, said Wu Zhen, SFDA deputy director.

"Drugs that fail the tests will be denied government approval," Wu said.

"After getting approval for a drug, some drug companies cut corners in production in order to get higher profits," Wu said. "These scoundrels will be identified and dealt with."

"On-the-spot checks will stop drug companies from producing poor-quality drugs and reduce the risks of fake drugs appearing on the market," he said.

Provincial food and drug administrations will be responsible for the on-the-spot checks, according to the SFDA.

SFDA, which has been criticized for failing in its duty, has promised to tighten controls on pharmaceutical products.

From last August to February, the SFDA revoked the approval of 353 medicines, and 3,049 applications for new drugs were turned down.

(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2007)