The government is to crack down on chemical factories that manufacture drugs, Yan Jiangying, spokeswoman of the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), said yesterday.

Starting on Monday, the 15-day drive will be jointly undertaken by the SFDA, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Health in 16 provinces, from Heilongjing in the north to Henan in the center and Fujian in the east, she said.

"Six Olympic host cities including Beijing and Qingdao are also involved," Yan said.

Inspections will be made of one or two chemical factories in each of these places to check whether they are making drug ingredients or prepared drugs.

Those caught will be fined and required to return to only chemical production, Yan said.

To ensure a drug-free Olympics, the drive will also target production and distribution of stimulants, Yan said.

(China Daily May 9, 2008)