Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2012 Oct;21(10):1130-3. doi: 10.1002/pds.3218. Epub 2012 Feb 15.
Self-medication with antibiotics adds to the global risk of increased spread of bacterial resistance. Attitudes and behavior of health professionals also may reinforce self-medication with antibiotics. The aim of this study was to determine whether self-medication with antibiotics is possible in our community pharmacies and to what extent, and to evaluate the behavior and service of pharmacy health professionals regarding non-prescription antibiotic dispensation.
An observational, cross-section study was conducted, and pseudo-patient methodology was used to establish the kind of professional service provided in case of patient's explicit demand to buy an antibiotic for treatment of self-diagnosed upper respiratory tract infection.
Of the total 318 community pharmacies, 131 (41%) were visited and included in the study. Non-prescription antibiotics were dispensed in 76 (58%) pharmacies. Counseling and symptomatic therapy was offered in 88 (67%) pharmacies. In 25% of pharmacies, no symptomatic therapy was offered; instead, only an antibiotic was sold. Amoxicillin was sold in 85% of cases and, mostly, the one of 1.30 Euro per pack. Both oral and written use instructions were given in 78% cases, whereas none was given in 3% of cases.
Self-medication with antibiotics occurs in our community pharmacies, despite being illegal. Pharmacy staff behavior can be a factor that puts patients at risk for self-medication with antibiotics. Community pharmacies are failing their tasks in enhancing rational use of antibiotics. Such a practice may be a consequence of weak enforcement and control over the legislation and professional standards.
自行使用抗生素会增加细菌耐药性全球传播的风险。卫生专业人员的态度和行为也可能会助长抗生素的自我用药。本研究旨在确定在我们的社区药房中是否可以以及在何种程度上进行抗生素的自我用药，并评估药剂师在非处方抗生素配药方面的行为和服务。
进行了一项观察性的横断面研究，并使用模拟患者的方法，确定在患者明确要求购买抗生素治疗自我诊断的上呼吸道感染的情况下，药剂师提供的专业服务类型。
在总共 318 家社区药房中，有 131 家（41%）被访问并纳入研究。76 家（58%）药房提供了非处方抗生素。88 家（67%）药房提供了咨询和对症治疗。在 25%的药房中，没有提供对症治疗，而是只出售抗生素。在 85%的情况下销售阿莫西林，而且大多数是每包 1.30 欧元。在 78%的情况下，提供了口头和书面使用说明，而在 3%的情况下则没有提供。
尽管抗生素的自我用药是非法的，但在我们的社区药房中仍有发生。药剂师的行为可能是使患者面临抗生素自我用药风险的因素之一。社区药房未能履行增强抗生素合理使用的任务。这种做法可能是执法和专业标准薄弱的结果。
