OBJECTIVE To provide an overview of China's drug control authorities. DATA SOURCES South Pharmaceutical Economy Institute. DATA SYNTHESIS China's drug control authorities include the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), which primarily oversees drug administration; the State Development and Reform Commission (SDRC), which is responsible for the drug price administration; and the Provincial Administration for Industry and Commerce, cooperating with the Provincial Food and Drug Administration, to regulate drug advertisements. Although the drug control authorities presented here have played important roles in drug administration and have obtained outstanding achievements in the past several years, they are also hindered by their respective problems and try to explore the solutions. CONCLUSIONS Other countries may confront the problems described here. It is therefore necessary to learn the current situation of drug control authorities in China, as well as the measures being taken to improve the situation. This understanding will aid countries seeking to enter China's pharmaceutical market.