Maria C Guinovart1, Albert Figueras2, Carles Llor3. 1. Departament de Farmacologia, de Terapèutica i de Toxicologia, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain; Unitat de Farmàcia, Regió Sanitària Camp de Tarragona, CatSalut, Spain. Electronic address: miagm6@gmail.com. 2. Departament de Farmacologia, de Terapèutica i de Toxicologia, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain; Fundació Institut Català de Farmacologia, Barcelona, Spain. 3. University Institute in Primary Care Research Jordi Gol, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Atención Primaria Via Roma, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Selling antibiotics without prescription is common in many countries; beyond the administrative restrictions, this practice is a risk for patients and society. The aim of the study was to evaluate the information provided by the staff of the pharmacy to a simulated patient requesting an antibiotic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was carried out in January 2013 - February 2014 in the Health Region of Tarragona, in which a mystery shopper visited 220 pharmacies requesting an antibiotic to be sold. RESULTS: The actress was not asked about allergies in 73.9% of cases and never was asked about possible pregnancy. Recommendation to see a doctor was observed in 36.1% of cases. When antibiotics were not sold, the explanation provided by the staff was reasoned only in 9.9% of the cases. CONCLUSION: It is necessary and urgent to improve the training of pharmacists in dispensing antibiotics but also strengthen basic health knowledge among the population.
INTRODUCTION: Selling antibiotics without prescription is common in many countries; beyond the administrative restrictions, this practice is a risk for patients and society. The aim of the study was to evaluate the information provided by the staff of the pharmacy to a simulated patient requesting an antibiotic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was carried out in January 2013 - February 2014 in the Health Region of Tarragona, in which a mystery shopper visited 220 pharmacies requesting an antibiotic to be sold. RESULTS: The actress was not asked about allergies in 73.9% of cases and never was asked about possible pregnancy. Recommendation to see a doctor was observed in 36.1% of cases. When antibiotics were not sold, the explanation provided by the staff was reasoned only in 9.9% of the cases. CONCLUSION: It is necessary and urgent to improve the training of pharmacists in dispensing antibiotics but also strengthen basic health knowledge among the population.
Authors: Mario Rivera-Izquierdo; Alberto Benavente-Fernández; Jairo López-Gómez; Antonio Jesús Láinez-Ramos-Bossini; Marta Rodríguez-Camacho; María Del Carmen Valero-Ubierna; Luis Miguel Martín-delosReyes; Eladio Jiménez-Mejías; Elena Moreno-Roldán; Pablo Lardelli-Claret; Virginia Martínez-Ruiz Journal: Antibiotics (Basel) Date: 2020-06-13