Both drugstores and local residents are complaining that new drug laws banning pharmacies from selling antibiotics to anyone without a prescription aren't practical.

The rule, which will go into effect on July 1, was announced by the central government in November. The rule was issued by the nation's Food and Drug Administration, which says the abuse of antibiotics has already resulted in serious problems across the country.

The agency said that 30 to 40 percent of all adverse reactions to drugs reported in the country involve antibiotics.

Many people in China consider antibiotics a cure-all and take them whenever they get a fever, cold or diarrhea without consulting a doctor first, medical experts said.

After July 1, however, they will need to visit the hospital to get a prescription in order to buy their favorite pills.

Tan wukang, chief of the city's drug safety inspection department, wonders if the rule will reduce the use of antibiotics, noting that doctors in the city seem to prescribe them "randomly."

"About 75 percent of patients with colds in outpatient service and 79 percent of hospitalized patients are given antibiotics, while the figure increases to 90 percent among those who undergo surgery," Tan said.

Some local residents don't think they need a doctor to tell them what drugs to take.

"It is very convenient for me to buy some antibiotics at the local pharmacy. I have basic knowledge about the ones in common use," said Chen Shuying, a 65-year-old retiree. "It is troublesome and a waste of time and money to go to the hospital for a prescription."

Drugstores also face a dilemma. Customers will demand to buy antibiotics they have purchased in the past without a prescription, but the law bans stores from selling them over the counter.

The situation is made worse by the fact the law doesn't set any punishment for pharmacies that break the rules. Stores worry their competitors will be tempted to ignore it all together, meaning those stores that do follow the rules risk losing customers.

"We will follow the rule after July 1, while I am sure that our customers will scold us for not selling them the antibiotics they require," said Liu Jingnan, manager of Shanghai Nep-Star Drugstore. Liu does admit, however, that he is very worried about losing clients to stores that ignore the law.

(Shanghai Daily February 9, 2004)