Download
China is stepping up efforts to crack down on widespread prescription drug abuse that is leading to rising levels of antibiotic resistance across the country.
In the latest move to tackle the problem, the Ministry of Health has launched a nationwide surveillance system to document cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteria at 1,349 large public hospitals across the mainland.
There will also be closer monitoring of the system that keeps track of doctors' prescriptions of antibiotics at public hospitals.
And tough new regulations to control the clinical use of antibiotics will take effect on Aug 1. The moves come days after the World Health Organization weighed in on the growing threat from worldwide antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea. In a statement, the group warned that millions of people with gonorrhea could be at risk of running out of treatment options unless urgent action is taken.
Several countries, including Australia, France, Japan, Norway and Sweden, have reported cases of resistance to cephalosporin antibiotics - the last treatment option against the sexually transmitted disease.
"Antibiotic resistance has no borders, and curbing its misuse is a responsibility shared by all," said Zhao Minggang, deputy director of the department of medical administration under the ministry.
Zhao said it usually takes 10 years to develop new antibiotics, but bacterial resistance develops within two years, largely due to antibiotic abuse.
The ministry estimates that an average of 138 grams of antibiotics are used per person on the mainland each year, nearly 10 times the amount in the United States.
Seventy percent of inpatients and 50 percent of outpatients have prescriptions for antibiotics, according to the ministry.
"Without intervention, there may come a time when there are no effective antibiotics left," Zhao said.
Xiao Yonghong, an expert at the Institute of Clinical Pharmacology at Peking University, said at least 80 percent of the antibiotics used on the mainland are not necessary.
"This drives up medicine costs for the patients and the country," Xiao said. "This helps speed up the development of germs resistant to antibiotics, which might cost lives and jeopardize human safety and health."
Xiao said antibiotic resistance is now widespread on the Chinese mainland but the types of antibiotics, and the severity of the issue, vary regionally.
Research has shown that each year, deaths related to antibiotic abuse total 80,000 on the Chinese mainland and cost 80 billion yuan ($13 billion) of the medical budget.
The ministry has now introduced a series of measures, including regulations many said are the most stringent yet, to regulate the clinical use of antibiotics, which now account for 74 percent of total medicine usage, about 20 to 50 percent more than in Western countries.
The regulation will take effect on Aug 1.
It will restrict the amount of antibiotics allowed to be prescribed.
The regulation also stipulates that less than 60 percent of inpatients are allowed to take antibiotics, and no more than 20 percent of outpatients are allowed an antibiotic prescription.
"At present, a majority of large hospitals couldn't meet that target," said Lin Shaobin, deputy director of Fuzhou Second Hospital.
He said overprescription of antibiotics was largely related to the longtime clinical habits of doctors and hospitals' dependence on drug sales for income.
He also said surgeons tend to rely heavily on antibiotics to avert postoperative infections.
QUESTIONS
1 What is the Ministry of Health cracking down on?
2 What is the main concern?
3 How much antibiotics are used by people in China?
Answers
1. Widespread prescription drug abuse
2. Rising levels of antibiotic resistance across China
3. An average of 138 grams of antibiotics are used per person on the mainland each year, nearly 10 times the amount in the United States.
About the broadcaster:
Nelly Min is an editor at China Daily with more than 10 years of experience as a newspaper editor and photographer. She has worked at major newspapers in the U.S., including the Los Angeles Times and the Detroit Free Press. She is also fluent in Korean.
指纹识别技术存在致命缺陷 老年人、癌症患者可能无法被识别
国际英语资讯:WHO withdraws Mugabes goodwill ambassador title
国际英语资讯:NAFTA talks must benefit agricultural trade in region, says Mexico
体坛英语资讯:Lazio players to wear Anne Frank jerseys after fans anti-semitism
国际英语资讯:EU offers 106 mln euros in aid to Sudan over natural disasters
美文欣赏:越是爱自己,越应该对自己狠
体坛英语资讯:Team USA renew 4X400m mixed relay world record at Doha worlds
体坛英语资讯:Liang wins first gold for China, Coleman wins 100m world title at Doha worlds
国际英语资讯:15 army cadets killed in Suicide attack in Afghan capital
“This is not what I signed up for”
世界无现金化国家排名公布,中国才排第6!
国际英语资讯:Trump to allow release of over 3,000 files related to JFK assassination
国际英语资讯:U.S. urges immediate end of violence in Myanmars Rakhine State
国内英语资讯:Interview: China plays major role in global economic integration -- New Zealand party leader
双11来了,还不会用英文砍价?
体坛英语资讯:Ex-Juve midfielder Hernanes eases Sao Paulo relegation fears
体坛英语资讯:Former Olympic champion Ye clinches 1st national title of breaststroke
尼日尔村民被怀疑故意拖住遭伏击的美特种兵
翻译谈:“不忘初心”的英译及其它
国际英语资讯:Typhoon Lan lashes central Japan, killing 2 and disrupting transport systems
国际英语资讯:Britain, EU within touching distance of a deal on citizen rights: May
中国和西方科技巨头的东南亚对决
国际英语资讯:16 policemen killed in Egypts anti-terror shootout
体坛英语资讯:Seeded players march on, Chinese duo bow out at China Open
体坛英语资讯:Brazils soccer will fight back to top of world ranking, says captain Marta
国际英语资讯:Iranian diplomat accuses U.S. of depriving Iran of benefits from nuclear deal
体坛英语资讯:Ralf hits winner as Corinthians consolidate top-four spot
体坛英语资讯:Ovtcharov overcomes Boll in an all-German World Cup final, Chinas Ma tastes bronze
爱因斯坦留下的“鸡汤便条”告诉你幸福的秘诀
国际英语资讯:ASEAN defense ministers agree to step up counter-terrorism measures
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |