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Globalization and Health
Published in: Globalization and Health 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Debate

Addressing antimicrobial resistance in China: policy implementation in a complex context

Authors: Li Wang, Xiulan Zhang, Xiaoyun Liang, Gerald Bloom

Published in: Globalization and Health | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

The effectiveness of antibiotics in treating bacterial infections is decreasing in China because of the widespread development of resistant organisms. Although China has enacted a number of regulations to address this problem, but the impact is very limited. This paper investigates the implementation of these regulations through the lens of complex adaptive systems (CAS). It presents the findings from reviews of relevant policy documents and published papers. The paper identifies different types of agent and explores their interaction with regard to the use of antibiotics and their responses to changes of the regulations. It focuses particularly on the impact of perverse financial incentives on overall patterns of use of antibiotics. Implications for the possibilities of nonlinear results, interactive relationships, and new pathways of policy implementation are discussed. The paper concludes that policy-makers need to better understand the objectives, incentives and potential adaptive behaviors of the agents when they implement interventions to improve antibiotic use and reduce the risk of emergence of resistant organisms.
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Metadata
Title
Addressing antimicrobial resistance in China: policy implementation in a complex context
Authors
Li Wang
Xiulan Zhang
Xiaoyun Liang
Gerald Bloom
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Globalization and Health / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1744-8603
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-016-0167-7

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