Baby formula hasn't been a coveted item at pharmacies in Fuzhou, capital city of Fujian province.

Most pharmacies reported bleak sales since they tested the waters of milk powder more than a year ago.

Only one or two cans of baby formula are sold monthly, according to an owner of one pharmacy.

The predicament is attributed to two main reasons. One is the lack of promotional efforts, and the other is the limited options of brands, said insiders.

"It is conventional to buy baby formula at supermarkets rather than at pharmacies (in China). Many of them only come in when sick and looking for drugs," said Mr. Liu, a manager of a local pharmaceutical company.

Local pharmacies only sell domestic milk powder brands, which has weaker credibility than overseas brands, said Mr. Li, an official with another drug company.

The baby formula-at-pharmacy project was still immature, said an insider at the Fujian Provincial Food and Drug Supervision and Inspection Bureau, adding that the bureau will provide guidance on boosting sales across the province.