TY - JOUR

T1 - Global restriction of the over-the-counter sale of antimicrobials

T2 - does it make sense?

AU - Llor, Carl

AU - Benkő, Ria

AU - Bjerrum, Lars

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - About 80% of antimicrobial agents are used in the community. These antimicrobial agents are either prescribed by healthcare professionals or directly purchased by consumers without a valid prescription, being known as over-the-counter sales of antimicrobials, commonly through sources such as community pharmacies. While many countries prohibit the sale of over-the-counter antibiotics, more than 50% of antibiotics are globally acquired without a prescription. Two comprehensive studies have examined the extent of over-the-counter antibacterial requests that lead to the non-prescription supply in community pharmacies on a global scale. In the latest study, the authors reviewed 38 studies from 24 different countries, revealing an overall pooled proportion of non-prescription supply of antibiotics of 62% . The issue of over-the-counter antibiotic availability is particularly pronounced in developing countries, such as South America, Africa, and some areas in Asia, where regulations governing the sale and distribution of medicines are either non-existent or inadequately enforced. However, this problem is not confined to these regions alone; even in developed countries, including those in southern Europe, non-prescription antibiotic supply is a concern. Furthermore, in affluent countries, antibiotics can also be sold in community pharmacies without a prescription. Surprisingly, various over-the-counter sore throat lozenges commonly used globally contain locally delivered antibiotics

AB - About 80% of antimicrobial agents are used in the community. These antimicrobial agents are either prescribed by healthcare professionals or directly purchased by consumers without a valid prescription, being known as over-the-counter sales of antimicrobials, commonly through sources such as community pharmacies. While many countries prohibit the sale of over-the-counter antibiotics, more than 50% of antibiotics are globally acquired without a prescription. Two comprehensive studies have examined the extent of over-the-counter antibacterial requests that lead to the non-prescription supply in community pharmacies on a global scale. In the latest study, the authors reviewed 38 studies from 24 different countries, revealing an overall pooled proportion of non-prescription supply of antibiotics of 62% . The issue of over-the-counter antibiotic availability is particularly pronounced in developing countries, such as South America, Africa, and some areas in Asia, where regulations governing the sale and distribution of medicines are either non-existent or inadequately enforced. However, this problem is not confined to these regions alone; even in developed countries, including those in southern Europe, non-prescription antibiotic supply is a concern. Furthermore, in affluent countries, antibiotics can also be sold in community pharmacies without a prescription. Surprisingly, various over-the-counter sore throat lozenges commonly used globally contain locally delivered antibiotics

KW - drug resistance

KW - health policy

KW - microbial

KW - nonprescription drugs

KW - over-the-counter (OTC)

KW - pharmacists

U2 - 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1412644

DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1412644

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 39022420

AN - SCOPUS:85198623335

VL - 12

JO - Frontiers in Public Health

JF - Frontiers in Public Health

SN - 2296-2565

M1 - 1412644

ER -