Dispensing and Purchasing Antibiotics Without Prescription

A Cross-sectional Study Among Pharmacists and Patients in Beirut, Lebanon

Bibliographic Data

ID13775355
AuthorsRasha T Kakati (0000-0002-7623-4079, University of Birmingham), Rasha Kakati (American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon), Sanaa Nakad Borrego (0000-0003-2555-4934, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon), Rana Zareef (American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon), Johnny Atallah (0000-0003-0681-9087, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon), Souha Farhat (0000-0002-8529-6263, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon), Nahla Daye (American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon), Sandra Sadek (American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon), Marco Bardus (0000-0002-0707-7196, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume60
Pages469580231167712-469580231167712
Publication date2023-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueINQUIRY The Journal of Health Care Organization Provision and Financing (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0046-9580 • E-ISSN: 1945-7243
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00469580231167712
PMID37052170
OpenAlexW4365443816
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited28

Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health issue, exacerbated by dispensing and purchasing antibiotics without a prescription, common in low- and middle-income countries, such as Lebanon. This study aimed to (1) describe behavioral patterns underpinning dispensing and purchasing antibiotics without a prescription among pharmacists and patients, (2) describe reasons for, and (3) attitudes toward these behaviors. A cross-sectional study targeted pharmacists and patients, respectively, identified through stratified random sampling and convenience sampling from all 12 Beirut quarters. Questionnaires assessed behavioral patterns, reasons for, and attitudes toward dispensing and purchasing antibiotics without prescription among the 2 samples. A total of 70 pharmacists and 178 patients were recruited. About a third (37%) of pharmacists supported dispensing antibiotics without a prescription, considering it acceptable; 43% of patients report getting antibiotics without a prescription. Reasons for distributing and purchasing antibiotics without prescription include financial costs associated with the drugs and convenience, coupled with inexistent law enforcement. Dispensing antibiotics without prescription was shared among a relatively high proportion of pharmacists and patients residing in Beirut. Dispensing antibiotics without prescription is common in Lebanon, where law enforcement needs to be stronger. National efforts, including anti-AMR campaigns and law enforcement, must be rapidly implemented to avoid the double disease burden, especially when old and new vaccines are available, and superbugs are making preventative public health efforts more difficult

Antibiotics · Business · Cross-sectional study · Enforcement · Environmental health · Family medicine · Medical prescription · Pharmacist · Public health · Purchasing · Stratified sampling · Antibiotic Use and Resistance · Global Maternal and Child Health · Marketing · Medicine · Nursing · Patient Satisfaction in Healthcare · Pharmacy