Dispensing of antibiotics without prescription in Greece, 2008: another link in the antibiotic resistance chain

• DOI: 10.2807/ese.15.07.19488-en
• Publication Date: 2021-03-30T10:30:24Z
• Authors: D Plachouras; D Kavatha; A Antoniadou; E Giannitsioti; G Poulakou; K Kanellakopoulou; H Giamarellou
• Keywords: Pharmacies; 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; Greece; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Humans; Drug Prescriptions; Anti-Bacterial Agents; 3. Good health

Antibiotic resistance has been associated with the use of antibiotics. The dispensing antimicrobials without prescription is a potential source inappropriate antibiotic use. In our study, antibiotics were requested from pharmacies in metropolitan area Athens Greece 2008. Twenty-one collaborators visited 174 and asked for either amoxicillin/clavulanate acid or ciprofloxacin providing any other justification request. additional restrictions fluoroquinolone prescriptions implemented 2003 after which separate specific form needs to be filled by prescriber, justifying choice fluoroquinolone. Amoxicillin/clavulanate was dispensed all cases. Furthermore, despite regulation restricting ciprofloxacin, this drug 53% pharmacies. It appears that implementation measures restrict certain (e.g. studied case) effective reducing, although not eliminating, dispensing. Overall, widespread practice contributing overuse