Controls urged on drug ingredient

China's top drug authority yesterday vowed to tighten control over the production and sale of medicines containing ephedrine, an ingredient used to process the stimulant drug methamphetamine.

The State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) made the announcement as 85 suspects involved in what is being referred to as one of the country's largest drug cases went on trial.

Police had busted five drug-manufacturing gangs and smashed eight illegal drug-processing factories nationwide, confiscating 415 kg of ephedrine.