Abstract
One of the key drivers for the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is non-prudent antibiotic (AB) use, which results in selection pressure towards relevant bacteria. Community pharmacists have pivotal roles in facilitating the prudent use of ABs that have been demonstrated by several studies worldwide. The aim of our present study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of community pharmacists related to AB use and infectious diseases in Hungary. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was performed among community pharmacists in Hungary with the use of an anonymous, structured and pilot-tested questionnaire. Data collection ran between January 2016 and January 2018; n = 339 community pharmacists nationwide were approached with our questionnaire, out of which 192 filled out our survey. Hungarian pharmacists have appropriate knowledge regarding ABs and antimicrobial therapy, and they realize the public health impact of the growing AMR. Twenty-five percent of participants admitted to giving out non-prescription ABs at least once in the last year. The age and presence of board-certified specializations were shown to be significant factors of self-perceived knowledge and professional attitudes. Educational strategies and interventions specifically aimed at focusing on identified shortcomings and changing certain attitudes could substantially improve AB dispensing and AB use, in addition to minimizing resistance.
Highlights
Since the end of the 20th century, antibiotics have started to lose their efficacy
A total of 339 Community pharmacists (CPs) nationwide were approached with our questionnaire during post-gradual training sessions at three different institutions throughout Hungary, out of which a total of 195 CPs chose to participate in our survey
The present study revealed that the patient-educator role was very much emphasized by the Hungarian pharmacists, as, generally, they strongly trusted the power of patient education
Summary
Since the end of the 20th century, antibiotics have started to lose their efficacy. Due to the rapid emergence of antibiotic (AB)-resistant bacteria (especially in Gram-negatives [1,2]) and a dwindling AB pipeline (principally drugs that would be useful in primary care [3,4]), the therapeutic armamentarium of physicians has narrowed considerably [5,6,7]. Community pharmacists (CPs) are medical professionals in the primary healthcare system whom are often termed as the “first and last” healthcare providers [22]. They have significant roles in medicine provision, primary prevention, patient education, lifestyle-advice and safety monitoring (e.g., pharmaco-vigilance studies) [23,24,25]. CPs have pivotal roles in facilitating the prudent use of ABs [23,24,25] They are well placed enough to advise patients about the correct application of ABs, the importance of intake regularity or when to finish therapy, interactions with food or other medications, possible adverse events, and, most importantly, they can highlight the importance and consequences of AB misuse and the basics of antimicrobial resistance [23,24,25,26]
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