North China's Shanxi province is taking urgent measures to crack down on fake and inferior traditional Chinese medicines and materials, which are rampant on markets, according to the provincial health administrative department.

Presently, there are about 1,150 varieties of traditional Chinese medicines and materials in market circulation, including 700 varieties often used in clinical treatment.

However, some medical organizations, mostly illegal ones, have produced large amounts of fake and inferior traditional Chinese medicines and materials, which were made using improper techniques and could not reach the required standards.

Some of the illegally-made medicines and materials are every poisonous and harmful to people's health, and some are even deadly, the source said.

The provincial health administrative department will launch a half-year-long thorough check drive of all the province's medical organizations above the county level to thoroughly curb the sale and spread of fake and inferior Chinese medicines.

Source: Xinhua