China's top drug regulator reiterated a call against doping, posting a web notice requiring pharmacies to abide strictly by an earlier provision on sales of doping agents.

The rule, which took effect in March 2004, set stringent requirements for the supervision and management of performance-enhancing drug producers, including market entry, export approval and warning labels for athletes.

The notice aimed at reiterating the importance of anti-doping efforts by the government and tightening anti-doping efforts during the Olympics, said Wang Zhigang, section chief with the department of drug markets under the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA).

The government is pursuing a zero-tolerance policy against doping in the run-up to the Olympics, which is 40 days away.

Drug retailers should retain documentation of sales, including such information as the drug name, manufacturer, quantity and price, said the web notice. They must also provide medical consultations about drug use.

Meanwhile, relevant medical authorities must step up supervision.

A nationwide inspection was launched on Thursday to tighten management of performance-enhancing drug makers and suppliers ahead of the Games.

Since March, authorities punished 23 companies for illegal drug trading, or selling sports performance enhancers that should not be available over the counter.

Three drug manufacturers were ordered to suspend production of relevant drugs and another 18 manufacturers' licenses were revoked.

The authorities also shut down 321 websites containing illegal drug trading information.

(Xinhua News Agency July 1, 2008)