A pragmatic cluster randomized trial was conducted in rural health facilities in Guangdong Province, China. It investigated the effects of a 12-month implementation of a comprehensive antibiotic stewardship program on antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory infections. The program included physician training, point-of-care challenges, monthly feedback and patient education via smartphone. Implementation of the program has substantially reduced the prescription of antibiotics to control acute respiratory infections. The study was published in Nature Medicine on February 17, 2026 with DOI: 10.1038/s41591-026-04222-y.