On July 9, 2026, the National Health Commission, together with multiple authorities, issued the National Essential Drug List (2026 Edition), covering a total of 794 medicines¹. Thanks to its outstanding clinical value in anti-infective therapy, Avelox (moxifloxacin hydrochloride tablets/sodium chloride injection) remains on the new edition of the National Essential Drug List.
Twenty-Four Years of Journey in China
Continued Recognition from Market Launch to Inclusion in the National Essential Drug List
Over the past 24 years, Avelox®has benefited numerous patients with infectious diseases in China. Moxifloxacin was first included in the National Essential Drug List in 2018. Its continued inclusion in the 2026 Edition represents ongoing recognition of its clinical value, safety and accessibility.
- Launched in over 100 countries and regions worldwide, and in China in 2002
- Has benefited over 240 million patients globally
- Supported by hundreds of large-scale international studies, involving 950,000 patients
- A total of 7,427 medical research papers related to Avelox®have been published worldwide
- In July 2008, the European Medicines Agency approved Avelox®as monotherapy for pelvic inflammatory disease
- In August 2008, the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved Avelox®as monotherapy for complicated intra-abdominal infections
- In 2018, the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved Avelox®(moxifloxacin hydrochloride tablets) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate pelvic inflammatory disease without tubo-ovarian or pelvic abscesses
Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial Agent
Covering a wide range of infectious indications
Moxifloxacin is an 8-methoxy fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent with broad-spectrum activity and bactericidal effects, indicated for the treatment of various infections caused by susceptible bacteria in adults (≥18 years of age). Key indications include: acute bacterial sinusitis, acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, community-acquired pneumonia, uncomplicated skin and skin tissue infections, complicated skin and skin tissue infections, complicated intra-abdominal infections, plague, as well as mild-to-moderate pelvic inflammatory disease without tubo-ovarian or pelvic abscesses (i.e., female upper genital tract infections, including salpingitis and endometritis)2,3.
From respiratory tract infections to intra-abdominal infections, and from skin and soft tissue infections to pelvic inflammatory disease, moxifloxacin’s broad spectrum of indications covers a wide range of clinically common bacterial infections, enabling patients across different departments and with different types of infections to benefit from its use.
Highly Recommended by Authoritative Guidelines
Establishing Its Position as a First-Line Clinical Agent
| Moxifloxacin is recommended by authoritative guidelines both domestically and internationally | |||
| Indications | Organizations | Year | Guidelines |
| Community-acquired pneumonia |  |
2011 | "European Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections"4 |
 |
2016 | "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults in China"5 | |
 |
2019 | "Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults"6 | |
 |
2025 | "Clinical Practice Guidelines for Adult Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the Emergency Department (2024 Edition)"7 | |
| Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
2024 | "Chinese Guidelines for the Primary Care Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (2024)"8 |
 |
2025 | "Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 2025"9 | |
| Acute Bacterial Sinusitis |  |
2012 | "Clinical Practice Guidelines for Acute Bacterial Sinusitis in Children and Adults"10 |
| Intra-Abdominal Infections
|
|
2021 | "Expert Consensus on the Multidisciplinary Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Surgical Abdominal Infections"11 |
 |
2024 | "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Intra-abdominal Infections: 2024 Update"12 | |
| Complicated skin and skin tissue infections | |
2021 | "Updated Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Complicated Skin and Soft Tissue Infections"13 |
| Mycoplasma genitalium infection |  |
2025 | "2025 National Guidelines for the Management of Genitourinary Mycoplasma Infections (BASHH)"14 |
|
2025 | "Chinese Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Mycoplasma Infections of the Reproductive Tract (2025 Edition)"15 | |
| Pelvic Inflammatory Disease | |
2019 | "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (2019 Revised Edition)"16 |
 |
2021 | "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases"17 | |
| Pelvic Inflammatory Disease |  |
2023 | "Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines for Plague (2023 Edition)"18 |
|
2024 | "Clinical Nursing of Plague"19 | |
| Multiple Infectious Scenarios (Emergency Settings) | |
2020 | "Guidelines for the Emergency Clinical Use of Quinolone Antimicrobials"20 |
Recommendations from numerous guidelines have established moxifloxacin's important clinical position in anti-infective therapy4-20.4-20.
Addressing the Challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance
0% Resistance Rate among Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Given the high macrolide resistance in Mycoplasma pneumoniae, moxifloxacin demonstrates unique advantages — the resistance rate of Mycoplasma pneumoniae to moxifloxacin is 0%21. This data provides clinicians with a reliable treatment option for infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria.
Remains on the National Essential Drug List
Benefiting More Patients
In accordance with relevant administrative provisions on essential medicines, public medical institutions at all levels nationwide are required to stock and prioritize medicines included in the List22. The continued inclusion of moxifloxacin in the 2026 Edition of the National Essential Drug List will further enhance its accessibility in medical institutions at all levels, enabling more patients with infectious diseases to access and afford this classic anti-infective drug that has been clinically validated over 24 years.
From its launch in China in 2002, to its first inclusion in the National Essential Drug List in 2018, and successful renewal in 2026, Avelox has proven its value through 24 years of clinical practice. Contribute to combating bacterial infections and safeguarding patient health.
References:
- National Health Commission, Department of Drug Policy and Essential Medicine. Notice on Issuing the National Essential Drug List (2026 Edition). 2026.
- Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride Tablets Package Insert. August 10, 2023.
- Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride and Sodium Chloride Injection Package Insert. September 22, 2023.
- Woodhead M,et al.Clin Microbiol Infect,2011;17 Suppl 6 E1-59.
- Chinese Thoracic Society, Chinese Medical Association. Chinese Journal of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases. 2016;39(4): 253-279.
- Olson G, et al. JAMA. 2020 Mar 3;323(9):885-886.
- Emergency Physician Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, et al. Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2025, 34(3): 300-317.
- Chinese Medical Association, et al. Chinese Journal of General Practitioners. 2024,23(06): 578-602.
- GOLD. Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: 2025 report. 2025.
- Chow AW,et al.Clin Infect Dis.2012 Apr:54(8):e72-e112.
- Surgical Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, et al. Chinese Journal of Surgery, 2021, 59(03): 161–178.
- Huston JM, et al. Surg Infect (Larchmt). August 2024;25(6):419-435.
- Duane TM, et al. Surg Infect (Larchmt). May 2021;22(4):383-399.
- Soni S, et al. Int J STD AIDS. May 2026;37(6):576-588.
- Zhang Dai, et al. Chinese Journal of Practical Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2025, 41(5): 541–547.
- Infectious Diseases Working Group of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association. Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2019, 54(7): 433–437.
- Workowski KA, et al. MMWR Recomm Rep. July 23, 2021;70(4):1-187.
- National Health Commission. *Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines for Plague (2023 Edition)*. 2023.
- Clinical Care of the Plague. 2024.
- Zhao Xiaodong, et al. Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2020, 40(11): 1047–1056.
- Yin YD, et al. J Thorac Dis. Oct. 2017;9(10):3774-3781.
- National Health Commission, Drug Administration. Notice on Further Strengthening the Management of the Procurement and Use of Essential Medicines in Public Medical Institutions. 2019.