A Survey And Suggestions For The Reasonable Use Of Traditional Chinese Medicine Injections At Medical Institutions

Objective:Traditional Chinese Medicine injections represent a breakthrough in the modernization and industrialization of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM). It has revolutionized the clinical practice of TCM. But the safety problems caused by clinical use of such injections have lately become a widely shared concern. In this paper we first analyze problems arising in the clinical use of TCM injections based on a completely understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of their clinical treatment, and then attempt to find the reasons behind adverse drug reaction(ADR) caused by the use of such injections and finally provide our suggestions for the reasonable and scientific clinical uses of TCM injections. The results could serve as a references for medical professionals tring to minimize treatment risks and enhance drug safety for patients.Method:Different specially designed questionnaires were distributed to 140 patients, 140 doctors,140 nurses and 90 pharmacists,respectively from some leading medical institutions in Taiyuan to test their knowledge and survey the use of traditional Chinese medicine injections, and statistics analysis was made; Fifty-five directions of 54 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine injections were analyzed and the detailed information these directions provide was measured; Tender for traditional Chinese medicine injections at medical institutions in Shanxi province between 2004 and 2008 was also summarized and analysized.Result:Out of the 510 questionnaires,498 were filled and returned by 140 patients, 133 doctors,137 nurses and 88 pharmacists, respectively. Each of the 55 directions contains all of the information including the drug name, ingredients, description, indications, strength and shelf life, package, specification, approval number and manufacturer. Information on adverse effects appears on 74.5% of them, contraindications 65.5%, special warnings and precautions for use 76.4%, directions for children 3.6%, for elder patients 7.3%, for pregnancy or lactation 19.6%, interactions with other drugs 21.8%, pharmacokinetic properties 16.4% and clinical test 1.8%.There was a increasing trend in the number of traditional Chinese medicine injections.The drugs with single specifications are gradually increasing.Conclusion:The paper attempts to draw attention to the advantages and disadvantages of using traditional Chinese medicine injections for clinical treatment. Both patients and medical professionals should learn more about traditional Chinese medicine injections and suitable doses. Pharmaceutical companies should improve the production processes and drug quality and provide standardized drug directions. Drug supervision and administration agencies and medical institutions should step up monitor on ADR caused by the use of traditional Chinese medicine injections and research on their safe use so as to minimize and avoid side effects and ensure the safety of their use.