More than 1,000 medical workers in an eastern Chinese city's 73 hospitals have been investigated for allegedly taking kickbacks, as China cleans up its medical sector.

The investigation, which started about six months ago in Zhangzhou, Fujian province, targeted hospital staff and more than 60 pharmaceutical sales representatives.

Money involved amounted to 20.49 million yuan ($3.3 million), an official with the Zhangzhou Commission for Discipline Inspection told China Daily on Thursday, speaking anonymously.