China's State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) has announced a two-year campaign to improve the quality standards of pharmaceuticals from manufacture to sale.

The program is aimed at better regulating the production, distribution, pricing, advertising and application of basic pharmaceuticals across the country, according to a statement posted on the website of the administration Friday.

Pharmaceutical companies and hospitals that violate the regulations would face prosecution and the revocation of their operation licenses, according to the statement.

In addition to the administration, five central government departments will join in carrying out the campaign, including Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, State Administration for Industry and Commerce, and State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

(Xinhua News Agency July 18, 2009)