Beijing restricts antibacterial prescriptions

Beijing (CNS) -- Beijing has set limits on antibacterial prescriptions for emergency patients. Comprehensive hospitals are expected to keep antibiotics to under 40 percent of total prescriptions. Standards for the types, amounts and indexes of antimicrobial agents are also clearly defined.

The motion is intended to curb improper use of antibacterial medicines in clinic practice, an official at the city health authority told CNS on Monday.

All third-level hospitals are allowed to handle more than 50 kinds of antibiotics, and second-level hospitals are restricted to 35. The limit for stomatological and tumor hospitals was set at 35, mental hospitals at 10, and obstetrics and gynecology hospitals (including maternal and child care service centers) at 40.

Municipal control on hospital use of antibiotics has been enforced since 2011, and preliminary results have shown some benefits.