Analysis of the problems of the rational use of antibacterial drugs in Ukraine

Abstract

Aim. To analyze the current situation with the antibacterial drugs turnover, as well as to develop effective ways to solve the problem of growing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics, including determination of the active role of a pharmacist in this process. Materials and methods. The analysis of the current situation in the domestic system ofpharmaceutical supply of the population was carried out on the basis of a survey of pharmaceutical specialists directly involved in the process of dispensing antibacterial drugs from pharmacies in the outpatient setting. In accordance with the aim of the study a questionnaire was developed for interviewing pharmaceutical specialists. The questionnaire included the aim and objectives of the survey. During the survey, the confidential terms of use of the information received were notified. The required size of the respondent sample was calculated taking into account the expected reliability of the results obtained. The questionnaire proposed included closed questions that provided data on the state of the problem of the rational dispensing of antibacterial drugs, as well as open-ended questions revealing the individual attitude of the respondents to the problems of the rational drug consumption from the pharmacotherapeutic group indicated. The questions contained in the questionnaire were divided into two groups: the basic ones allowing us to obtain the necessary information from the respondent and the control ones indirectly confirming the accuracy of answers to basic questions and allowing exclusion of unclear answers. Results. The article presents the results of a survey of pharmaceutical specialists on the problem of the rational supply and consumption of antibacterial drugs and the assessment of their role in organization of an effective prescription model for this group of drugs in Ukraine. It has been determined that a significant majority of respondents consider it necessity to sell antibacterial drugs strictly by prescriptions (90.42 %), but, in practice, approximately the same number of respondents (90.73 %) still dispenses antibacterial drugs without a prescription: “Sometimes” (67.73 %) or “Always” (23.0%). Respondents consider as important measure to implement a set of measures to disseminate knowledge about the rationality of using antibiotics (84.98 %) through the pharmacy network. At the same time, a large majority of respondents (90.10 %) transfer responsibility for the proper consumption of antibacterial drugs onto doctors. According to the opinion of the respondents (42.49 %), the development of an appropriate target program with the involvement of pharmacists and doctors should be the main direction of implementing the strategy of the rational use of antibacterial drugs in Ukraine. Among the factors contributing to the unsystematic use of antibacterial drugs, the leading position by the number of respondents were such answer options as “Thoughtless self-medication of the population” (79.23 %), “Violation of prescription dispensing” (62.62 %) and “Availability of antibiotics in the pharmacy” (47.92 %). Conclusions. According to the results of the study it has been found that the complexity and controversial nature of the problem of the rational consumption of antibacterial drugs in Ukraine requires a comprehensive solution involving all subjects of the pharmaceutical supply system of the population.