A qualitative study exploring role of community pharmacy ın the ırrational use and purchase of nonprescription antibiotics in al ahsa

Antibiyotikler bakteriyel enfeksiyonları tedavi etmek için kullanılan ilaçlardır, fakat uygun kullanılmadığında yarardan çok zarara neden olabilirler. Raporlar göstermiştir ki dünyanın tüm toplumlarında reçetesiz antibiyotik satımı yaygındır. Ancak, yayınlara göre bakteriyel direnç paternleri değiştiğinden, bu bölgede antibiyotiklerin güvenli kullanımının sağlanmasında toplum eczanel- erinin rolü araştırılmamıştır. Bu çalışma antibiyotiklerin reçetesiz kullanım/dağıtımını ve eczacıların toplumda güvenli anti- biyotik kullanımını sağlamadaki davranışlarını ortaya koymak amacıyla yapılmıştır. Bir niteliksel çalışma dizaynı, Saudi Arabistan Krallığı, Al-Ahsa, doğu bölgesindeki toplum eczanelerinde çalışan 15 eczacı ile mülakat yapma şeklinde planlanmıştır. Elde edilen veriler ilgili temalar için bağımsız kodlandı. Bulgular gösterdi ki müşteriler sıklıkla reçetesiz antibiyotik almak istemekteler, özellikle amoksisilin ve siprofloksasin gibi antibiyotikleri. Bunların çoğu kişisel deneyimlerine dayanarak proflaksi amaçlı veya semptomlarını geçirmek amacıyla ilacı satın alırlar. İshal ve kaşıntı eczacıların müşterilerinde dikkat ettikleri tek yan etkilerdi. Mevcut çalışma toplum eczacılarının Al-Ahsada antibiyotik satışı ile ilgili belirgin yanlış kullanım ve görevi kötüye kullanma sıklığını göstermiştir.

Antibiotics are drugs used to treat bacterial infections, but they can cause more harm than good when not used properly. Reports have shown that non-prescription sale of antibiotics is prevalent in all communities of the world. However, the role of community pharmacy in ensuring the safe use of antibiotics in this region has not been evaluated as bacterial resistant pattern are chang- ing, according to reports. This study was carried out in order to identify the non-prescription use/ dispensing of antibiotics and pharmacists attitude in ensuring safe use of antibiotics in the community. A qualitative study design was adopted to interview fifteen pharmacists practicing on the community pharmacies in eastern region, Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Data obtained was coded independently for the relevant themes. Findings demonstrate that consumers often request for the antibiotics without prescription, especially the antibiotics i.e amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin. Most of them purchase based on their personal experi- ence either for prophylaxis or to get relief from the symptoms. Diarrhea and itching are the only adverse event that the phar- macists have noticed among the consumers. The current study reveals significant incidence of misuse and malpractice regarding antibiotic sale by community pharmacies in Al-Ahsa.

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