OBJECTIVE:To analyze the Chinese traditional patent medicine prescriptions in Beijing Hospital of Ministry of Health(our hospital),probe into the characteristics and tendency in the use of Chinese traditional patent medicines in our hospital so as to provide references for clinical rational drug use.METHODS:Among a total of 475 610 Chinese traditional patent medicine prescriptions from Dec.2010 to Nov.2011 in our hospital,2 400 prescriptions were randomly sampled for analysis.RESULTS:The outpatient Chinese traditional patent medicine prescriptions were rational on the whole in that importance has been attached to drug use based on patients' symptoms and compatibility between drugs;however,they were far from perfect.CONCLUSION:Chinese traditional patent medicine played an important role in the treatment and prevention of diseases.Clinicians should strengthen their knowledge on Chinese patent medicines and strive for rational use of drugs under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine theory to ensure safe,effective and economic drug use in clinical practice.