Eighteen people suspected of manufacturing and selling a fake eye medication that left 61 suffering from adverse reactions in Shanghai have been arrested, local authorities said Monday.

The suspects will soon be transferred to the prosecutors, the information office of Shanghai municipal government said in a statement.

A total of 116 patients were treated with the fake version of Avastin produced by Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche Group, on Sept. 6 and 8 last year at the Shanghai No. 1 People's Hospital, it said.

Of them, 61 experienced negative reactions, including pain, red eyes and unclear vision. All were later discharged from hospital following treatment and none suffered damage to their vision.

An investigation showed the fake medication was sold first to the Shanghai Ruijin-AmMed Cancer Center, a joint venture between Shanghai Ruijin Hospital and AmMed Cancer Center of Hong Kong, and later to the Shanghai No. 1 Hospital.

The presidents of Shanghai No.1 People's Hospital and Ruijin Hospital have received disciplinary punishment.

Further, two eye doctors at the No.1 People's Hospital were ordered to suspend work for six months.

Ruijin-AmMed Cancer Center had their illegal revenues confiscated and their medical license revoked.