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Background <p>Chinese patent medicine (CPM) is widely used in China’s rapidly expanding Internet hospital system, yet its prescribing profiles in this setting remain uncharacterized.</p> Methods <p>Prescription data were collected from 87 enterprise-led Internet hospitals between January 1, 2018, and March 31, 2021. Visits involving at least one prescribed CPM were included. Descriptive analyses characterized the top 20 most frequently prescribed CPMs overall, with stratification by gender and age groups. The top three CPMs for diseases with over 20,000 visits were identified, and the results were visualized using a sunburst chart.</p> Results <p>Among 2,065,486 eligible visits, the respiratory diseases category was the most prevalent (26.29%), with acute upper respiratory tract infection (<i>n</i> = 319,772) as the top diagnosis, commonly treated with CPMs like Niuhuang Jiedu Tablet. Genitourinary diseases (23.43%) were also prominent, with Honghe Fujie Cleansing Lotion being the most prescribed CPM overall (3.77%), accounting for 15.2% of prescriptions for adult females. For chronic disease management, digestive (19.12%) and circulatory system (13.14%) diseases were common. Elderly patients (≥ 60 years) frequently received CPMs for cardiovascular conditions (18.9%, e.g., Wenxin Granule, Suxiao Jiuxin Pill). Age stratification showed pediatric patients (&lt; 18 years) were primarily prescribed CPMs for respiratory infections (48.0%), while patients in the 18–44 years age group commonly used CPMs for gynecological and dermatological conditions.</p> Conclusions <p>Among visits that included at least one CPM prescription, CPM was extensively prescribed via Internet hospitals in China for acute respiratory infections, urogenital, and chronic conditions, with notable coverage also observed among pediatric and elderly populations. Our findings suggest that this model may enable contactless care, provide discreet consultation channels for urogenital conditions, and facilitate medication access for patients with stable chronic diseases.</p>

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The prescription profiles of Chinese patent medicine in Internet hospitals in China: a retrospective cross-sectional study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月5日

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  • Jing Hu,
  • Jia-xin Zuo,
  • Tian-tian Zhou,
  • Ruo-gu Meng,
  • Lin Zhuo,
  • Guo-zhen Liu,
  • Di Wang,
  • Sheng-feng Wang,
  • Xing Liao

摘要

Background

Chinese patent medicine (CPM) is widely used in China’s rapidly expanding Internet hospital system, yet its prescribing profiles in this setting remain uncharacterized.

Methods

Prescription data were collected from 87 enterprise-led Internet hospitals between January 1, 2018, and March 31, 2021. Visits involving at least one prescribed CPM were included. Descriptive analyses characterized the top 20 most frequently prescribed CPMs overall, with stratification by gender and age groups. The top three CPMs for diseases with over 20,000 visits were identified, and the results were visualized using a sunburst chart.

Results

Among 2,065,486 eligible visits, the respiratory diseases category was the most prevalent (26.29%), with acute upper respiratory tract infection (n = 319,772) as the top diagnosis, commonly treated with CPMs like Niuhuang Jiedu Tablet. Genitourinary diseases (23.43%) were also prominent, with Honghe Fujie Cleansing Lotion being the most prescribed CPM overall (3.77%), accounting for 15.2% of prescriptions for adult females. For chronic disease management, digestive (19.12%) and circulatory system (13.14%) diseases were common. Elderly patients (≥ 60 years) frequently received CPMs for cardiovascular conditions (18.9%, e.g., Wenxin Granule, Suxiao Jiuxin Pill). Age stratification showed pediatric patients (< 18 years) were primarily prescribed CPMs for respiratory infections (48.0%), while patients in the 18–44 years age group commonly used CPMs for gynecological and dermatological conditions.

Conclusions

Among visits that included at least one CPM prescription, CPM was extensively prescribed via Internet hospitals in China for acute respiratory infections, urogenital, and chronic conditions, with notable coverage also observed among pediatric and elderly populations. Our findings suggest that this model may enable contactless care, provide discreet consultation channels for urogenital conditions, and facilitate medication access for patients with stable chronic diseases.