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China cracks down on "get-smart" pill

BEIJING: Authorities in south China have raided pharmacies and seized medicine that purportedly makes children smarter but has made them ill instead, the Beijing Youth Daily said on Wednesday.

Students at some elementary and high schools in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province, felt dizzy and vomited or became "little lunatics" after taking "Sanzuocang", which is used to treat insomnia, it said.

Authorities seized 1,311 bottles of the medicine, which pharmacy owners had named "blue elf" and "little white mouse" to make it attractive to children, the newspaper said.

Unscrupulous pharmacy owners had spread the rumour that the medicine would make children smart, it said.

Some of the students became "little lunatics", eating mud, screaming or talking nonsense after taking the medicine.

The medicine sold for 16.5 yuan ($2) a bottle.-Reuter