Abstract
In Thailand, antibiotics are available lawfully from community pharmacies without a prescription. Inappropriate supply of antibiotics from Thai community pharmacies to the public for common, self-limiting diseases has been reported. The study aimed to evaluate the appropriateness of antibiotics selected by community pharmacists in Thailand in response to vignettes. A cross-sectional survey of community pharmacists across Thailand was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire including nine case vignettes with three conditions, namely upper respiratory infections (URIs), acute diarrhoea and simple wounds. A total of 208 questionnaires were completed and analysed (20.8% response rate). In response to vignettes relating to URIs, 50.8% of pharmacist recommendations were not in accordance with antibiotic guidelines. Inappropriate recommendations for diarrhoea and wound cases were 20.8% and 16.7%, respectively. A higher proportion of younger pharmacists, those with less experience, Pharm. D. graduate pharmacists, employee pharmacists and those pharmacists who worked in a chain pharmacy were more likely to recommend appropriate antibiotic treatment in response to the vignettes (p < 0.05). These findings will be useful to promote educational interventions for community pharmacists regarding common infectious disease management in order to improve appropriate antibiotic use.
Highlights
In recent years, the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has increased significantly and has become a serious health care issue worldwide [1,2,3,4]
The role of the pharmacist and type of community pharmacy were significantly correlated with appropriate recommendation score on antibiotic supply for upper respiratory infections (URIs) vignettes, diarrhoea vignettes and total appropriate recommendation score
The findings showed that age and length of experience in community pharmacy correlated with the intention to supply appropriate antibiotics
Summary
The problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has increased significantly and has become a serious health care issue worldwide [1,2,3,4]. Antibiotic supplies without a prescription from community pharmacies have been found to have contributed to the inappropriate, including over-use, of antibiotics in Thailand [19]. In Thailand, the Antibiotics Smart Use (ASU) Program was implemented in 2007 This programme aimed to reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics for common self-limiting conditions, including URIs, acute diarrhoea and simple wounds [24]. The supply of antibiotics from community pharmacies to the public for common, self-limiting conditions such as some URIs, acute diarrhoea and simple wounds is common and often does not comply with the guidelines [22,28,29]. This study was conducted to evaluate the appropriateness, according to Thai guidelines, of the intended supply of antibiotics for URIs, acute diarrhoea and simple wounds by community pharmacists in Thailand using vignettes. The study aimed to determine the association between the demographic data of community pharmacists and the appropriateness of the intended supply, or otherwise, of antibiotics
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
