China's Ministry of Commerce announced on August 17 that it will begin its midterm review of anti-dumping measures on sulfamethoxazole (SMZ), an antibiotic imported from India.

The decision was made after the Shandong-based Shouguang Fukang Pharmaceutical Co. filed an application to the ministry in June for a midterm examination, said the ministry.

The company asked for an adjustment of tariff rates for antibiotic imports from India, as Indian SMZ producers and importers expanded their dumping efforts in China after the imposition of anti-dumping duties.

China imposed five-year anti-dumping duties, ranging from 10.1 percent to 37.7 percent, on SMZ imported from India on June 16, 2007.

The ministry said that it will examine the dumping margins based on current market conditions and evidence provided by Shouguang Fukang.