Abstract
ABSTRACT Background: The indiscriminate use of antimicrobial medicines has contributed to the development of microorganisms’ resistance to antibiotics. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health problem and is most acute in countries that have a weak health care and regulatory system and a high burden of infectious diseases, such as Bangladesh. Due to shortages of physicians available to diagnose and prescribe appropriate antibiotics, people with ailments in Bangladesh are forced to contact various types of health care services, including retail pharmacies, that lack supervision by qualified medical personnel. It is unknown how pharmacists perceive the AMR situation and the related challenges they face. Objective: The aim of the study was to understand retail pharmacist’s perceptions regarding AMR. Method: A qualitative study design was used, and in-depth interviews were held with retail pharmacists in Dhaka. Results: The participants demonstrated a variety of concerns regarding AMR. They considered that self-medication, old prescriptions, lack of regulations and supervision, and readily available antibiotics were the main factors that contributed to the misuse of antimicrobial medicines and the development of AMR. Conclusions: To control the further spread of AMR in Bangladesh, there is a need to work at several levels of the health system simultaneously. Initiatives could include establishment of the ‘Model Pharmacy’ programme nationwide, increasing and widening the focus on AMR in pharmacists’ education, ensuring the implementation of government guidelines on AMR, increasing public awareness of the consequences of antimicrobial use, and surveillance and monitoring of regulations and progress. A multipronged strategy is necessary not only for better AMR control but also for investment in a system that is well equipped to provide equitable care in the face of both existing and new health challenges.
Highlights
The indiscriminate use of antimicrobial medicines has contributed to the development of microorganisms’ resistance to antibiotics
It is estimated that in Bangladesh there are more than twice as many salespersons without medical education as there are educated physicians and nurses [18]. This implies that the shortage of qualified health care providers and unequal access to health care and medical treatment urgently requires attention from the Government of Bangladesh in order to have an impact on the Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) situation
In common with the findings from Peru, our study revealed that pharmacists in Bangladesh were of the opinion that patient pressure was a contributing factor in the development of AMR [22]
Summary
The indiscriminate use of antimicrobial medicines has contributed to the development of microorganisms’ resistance to antibiotics. Due to shortages of physicians available to diagnose and prescribe appropriate antibiotics, people with ailments in Bangladesh are forced to contact various types of health care services, including retail pharmacies, that lack supervision by qualified medical personnel. It is unknown how pharmacists perceive the AMR situation and the related challenges they face. Results: The participants demonstrated a variety of concerns regarding AMR They considered that self-medication, old prescriptions, lack of regulations and supervision, and readily available antibiotics were the main factors that contributed to the misuse of antimicrobial medicines and the development of AMR. The WHO indicates that in lowermiddle income countries (LMICs) prescribers lack
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.
