Local pharmacies have stopped selling Nimesulide Granules, a children's anti-inflammatory drug manufactured by Hainan-based Honz Pharmaceutical, after it was linked to several deaths.

One outlet said it received notice from its headquarters to remove the product, according to a local TV news report yesterday. "We have arranged to return the drug to its manufacturers," a worker at the pharmacy said.

Shanghai Kaixinren Drug Store has also told its outlets to remove other anti-fever drugs containing nimesulide ingredients, China Business News reported.

Nimesulide Granules - which also goes by the name Ruizhiqing - and is used for treating fever in children, is reported to have caused adverse reactions and even death.

China Central Television's news channel reported last November that Nimesulide Granules harmed the nervous system and liver, citing China's National Center for Adverse Reaction Monitoring.

The report said the drug has led to several deaths and several thousand cases of adverse reactions since it was launched nine years ago. Media reports in the past few days dubbed it a "life-taking" fever tablet.

"These reports are groundless and the production procedure of Ruizhiqing meets national standards and is safe," Honz said in a statement.

Ruizhiqing makes up of more than 80 percent of the company's sales.