Abstract
ObjectiveTo measure the situation of the non-prescription sale of antibiotics and the service quality of community pharmacies in Guangzhou, China.MethodsA simulated client method was conducted to estimate the non-prescription sale of antibiotics and service quality based on scenarios about adult acute upper respiratory tract infection in 2019. A total of 595 community pharmacies from 11 districts were investigated in Guangzhou, China. We used binary logistic regression to evaluate the factors associated with the non-prescription sale of antibiotics.ResultsThe proportion of non-prescription dispensing of antibiotics was 63.1% in Guangzhou, China, with a higher incidence of antibiotic dispensing without prescription in outer districts (69.3%). Cephalosporin (44.1%) and Amoxicillin (39.0%) were sold more often than other antibiotics. Chain pharmacies had better performance on the prescription sale of antibiotics and service quality. Traditional Chinese medicine was commonly recommended by pharmacy staff.ConclusionSince the non-prescription sale of antibiotics is prevalent in Guangzhou, effective solutions should be determined. Strengthened public awareness and regulatory system innovation are needed.
Highlights
Antibiotics are the most commonly prescribed medicines in the world [1]
Since the non-prescription sale of antibiotics is prevalent in Guangzhou, effective solutions should be determined
As early as 2003, the National Medical Products Administration of China clearly stated that antibiotics that are not over-the-counter medicines must be sold with prescriptions issued by licensed physicians in all community pharmacies nationwide [6]
Summary
A simulated client method was conducted to estimate the non-prescription sale of antibiotics and service quality based on scenarios about adult acute upper respiratory tract infection in 2019. We used binary logistic regression to evaluate the factors associated with the non-prescription sale of antibiotics
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