To discuss the problem and current situation of the use of Chinese patent medicine based on literature of prescription analysis and prescription review in the past four years.

Literature of prescription analysis and prescription review from January 2019 to July 2022 was obtained by searching the CNKI, Wanfang and VIP databases. After two times of screening, the proportion of irrational use of Chinese patent medicine in the selected literature, the irrational use of Chinese patent medicine in different regions, hospitals, and that of medicines with different efficacies, and the influencing factors of irrational use of Chinese patent medicine were analyzed.

A total of 66 articles were included. The overall irrational rate of Chinese patent medicine prescription was 4.91%. Among them, Hainan, Xinjiang, and Shanghai had the highest proportion of irrational use, which were 22.08%, 18.03% and 11.98%, respectively, while the proportions of irrational use of Chinese medicine in other regions were less than 10%. Irrational prescription in tertiary hospitals was the lowest, accounting for 4.36%, in secondary hospitals for 7.99%, and in primary community hospitals for 12.55%. Irrational use of drugs for oncology accounted for 10.94%, rehabilitation 10.55%, cardiovascular 7.09%, gynecology 5.30%, and irrational drug use in other departments was less than 5%. Among the Chinese patent medicines with various effects, the proportion of irrational use of medicines for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis was the highest, which was 18.85%. Irrational use of Chinese patent medicine for regulating qi and relieving pain accounted for 10.38%, while the irrational use of other types of Chinese patent medicine accounted for less than 10%. Improper usage and dosage, inappropriate drug selection and inappropriate indications were the most common problems in the use of proprietary Chinese patent medicines, with a cumulative proportion of more than 60%.

The problem of irrational use of Chinese patent medicine shows an inversely proportional relationship with the hospital grade. Chinese patent medicine for activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis has the highest frequency of irrational use. Usage and dosage, selection of drugs, and indications may be the main factors affecting the rational use of Chinese patent medicines. The rational use of Chinese patent medicine still needs to receive more attention from medical institutions and clinicians at all levels, and corresponding guidelines and norms are needed for standardized drug use.