Iris Hoxha1, Admir Malaj2, Besmira Kraja3, Silvia Bino4, Margaret Oluka5, Vanda Marković-Peković6, Brian Godman7. 1. Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Tirana, Albania; Focal Point of Antimicrobial Consumption, Ministry of Health, Tirana, Albania. 2. Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Tirana, Albania. 3. Pharmacy 24, Shkoder, Albania. 4. Control of Infectious Diseases Department, Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania. 5. Department of Pharmacology & Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 19676-00202 KNH, Nairobi, Kenya. 6. Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Department of Social Pharmacy, Medical Faculty, University Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 7. Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK; Health Economics Centre, University of Liverpool Management School, Liverpool, UK; Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, SE-141 86, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: Brian.godman@strath.ac.uk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Irrational use of antibiotics is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), exacerbated by dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription especially for typically viral infections. Such dispensing is common despite legislation. Pharmacists play a key role in advising on medicines, especially in countries where most patients seek pharmacist help as they cannot afford both physician fees and medicines. Consequently, our objective was to ascertain pharmacists' skills and knowledge regarding antibiotics when patients present to them with typically viral infections. METHODS: This was a qualitative cross-sectional survey among 370 community pharmacists in Albania, with carefully selected and validated topics. The main outcome measure was knowledge of antibiotics and current legislation. RESULTS: Variable knowledge regarding antibiotics among community pharmacists. 55% knew colds are caused by viruses and 93% that antibiotics are ineffective against influenza. However, 18% believed if colds last >4 days an antibiotic can bring a patient back to work, and only 13% stated antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. Encouragingly, 93% knew penicillins can cause anaphylactic shock, 74% that antibiotics kill bacteria causing infections, and only 7% that antibiotic misuse cannot cause AMR. However, 13% stated the main disadvantage of antibiotics is that they are ineffective against viruses and 93% admitted they had no treatment protocols to consult in their daily work to direct patient care. CONCLUSION: Encouraging signs regarding pharmacists' knowledge of antibiotics in Albania; however, concerns. Instigating educational programmes among patients and pharmacists and greater enforcement of legislation should reduce AMR rates in Albania and across countries.
OBJECTIVES: Irrational use of antibiotics is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), exacerbated by dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription especially for typically viral infections. Such dispensing is common despite legislation. Pharmacists play a key role in advising on medicines, especially in countries where most patients seek pharmacist help as they cannot afford both physician fees and medicines. Consequently, our objective was to ascertain pharmacists' skills and knowledge regarding antibiotics when patients present to them with typically viral infections. METHODS: This was a qualitative cross-sectional survey among 370 community pharmacists in Albania, with carefully selected and validated topics. The main outcome measure was knowledge of antibiotics and current legislation. RESULTS: Variable knowledge regarding antibiotics among community pharmacists. 55% knew colds are caused by viruses and 93% that antibiotics are ineffective against influenza. However, 18% believed if colds last >4 days an antibiotic can bring a patient back to work, and only 13% stated antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. Encouragingly, 93% knew penicillins can cause anaphylactic shock, 74% that antibiotics kill bacteria causing infections, and only 7% that antibiotic misuse cannot cause AMR. However, 13% stated the main disadvantage of antibiotics is that they are ineffective against viruses and 93% admitted they had no treatment protocols to consult in their daily work to direct patient care. CONCLUSION: Encouraging signs regarding pharmacists' knowledge of antibiotics in Albania; however, concerns. Instigating educational programmes among patients and pharmacists and greater enforcement of legislation should reduce AMR rates in Albania and across countries.
Authors: Md Abul Kalam; Md Abdul Alim; Shahanaj Shano; Md Raihan Khan Nayem; Md Rahim Badsha; Md Abdullah Al Mamun; Ashraful Hoque; Abu Zubayer Tanzin; Shahneaz Ali Khan; Ariful Islam; Md Mazharul Islam; Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan Journal: Vet Sci Date: 2021-06-15