Journal
EXPERT REVIEW OF ANTI-INFECTIVE THERAPY
Volume 14, Issue 12, Pages 1215-1223Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2016.1227702
Keywords
Antibiotics; non-prescription sale; dispensing; community pharmacy; Zambia
Funding
- Swedish Research Council [VR-Link 2013-6710]
- Newton Advanced Fellowship by the Academy of Medical Sciences, through the UK Government's Newton Fund programme
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Background: In Zambia, antibiotics are categorized as prescription-only medicines. Antibiotics dispensed without a prescription pose a public health threat, which is a concern. Consequently, the aim is to ascertain the extent of non-prescription sales and dispensing of antibiotics in community pharmacies in Zambia.Methods: The practice of non-prescription sale and dispensing were assessed in 73 randomly selected community retail pharmacies, using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire with simulated case scenarios.Results: Majority (97%) stated that clients frequently requested non-prescribed antibiotics. Interviewees usually asked clients' indications (94%), counselled on dosing (96%) and suggested changes to antibiotic choices (97%). All (100%) dispensed non-prescribed antibiotics. Commonly dispensed antibiotics included amoxicillin (52%), cotrimoxazole (25%) and metronidazole (23%). Non-prescription sale and dispensing of antibiotics was significantly associated with interviewees' professional qualification in four out of five simulations.Conclusion: Non-prescription sale and dispensing of antibiotics is widespread in Zambia. Concerted public and professional interventions are needed coupled with stronger regulatory enforcement to reduce this.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available