China Seizes Tons of Raw Materials Used in Fake Pharmaceuticals

The Chinese government announced a major crackdown on makers of fake drugs, Businessweek reports. More than nine tons of raw materials used in counterfeit pharmaceuticals were seized, including some psychedelic or poisonous ingredients.

Laboratories in China are becoming a significant source of synthetic drug production. Drugs produced in China can easily be shipped to North America or Europe, using international courier services.

Many Chinese websites sell illegal drugs. In the last six months, Chinese police have arrested more than 1,300 people suspected of selling illegal drugs online, and have shut down 140 unlicensed websites and online drug stores.

The Chinese government created a newly strengthened Food and Drug Safety Administration earlier this year, the article notes.