China's Ministry of Commerce announced in Beijing Friday that it would launch its first pharmaceutical anti-dumping investigation with a probe into sulfamethoxazole imported from India.

In a circular released Friday, the ministry said the investigation, starting from June 16, will study whether the drug imported from India is dumped in China and also its effects on Chinese producers.

Most investigations of this kind last a year, but can be extended for six months under special circumstances.

Sulfamethoxazole is one of a group of drugs called sulfonamides, which prevent the growth of bacteria in the body.

(Xinhua News Agency June 17, 2006)