Overuse of antibacterial agents results in high bacterial resistance rates in China. It was reported that antibacterial agents were used in 69% of inpatients and 21.8% of outpatients in China in 2009. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing strains accounted for 55% in Escherichia coli and 34% in Klebsiella pneumoniae in 2012. Many measures have been taking in recent years by healthcare administrators and professionals in order to make rational use of antibacterial agents

including the establishment of Guiding Principle of Clinical Use of Antibacterial Agents and Regulations for Clinical Application of Antibacterial Agents

and implementation of three years’ nationwide inspection on the rational use of antibacterial agents in hospitals. A lot of progresses have been made for clinical use of antibacterial agents in recent years

such as the decreased use of antibacterial agents including prophylactic use in surgery. Much work needs to be carried out to further improve the rational use of antibacterial agents in the future. Antibacterial agents should be managed professionally and persistently with less administration intervention as done in many countries around the world.