The State Food and Drug Administration and the Ministry of Public Security jointly seized more than 20,000 suspects for making and selling counterfeit medicine last year.

The suspects were involved in some 14,000 cases that amounted to more than 16 billion yuan ($2.56 billion) in value, according to a statement jointly released Wednesday by the two departments.

Many cases involved transnational trade, as well as promotions and sales through television and the Internet.

Twenty-eight companies were shut down and 228 suspects were arrested for making capsules and gelatin products containing excessive chromium last year, the statement said.

"The main pattern for these counterfeit drug cases involves underground manufacturing, online advertisements and express delivery. Their criminal method is becoming more technology-driven, group-based and covert," the statement said.

According to the statement, multiple administrative departments will intensify coordinated efforts to crack down on counterfeit drugs.

(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2013)