TITLE:
Access to Antibiotics through Prescription and Non-Prescription Media in Private Pharmacies in Lomé, Togo
AUTHORS:
Yao Potchoo, Salou Mounerou, Rasak Soukouratou, Dossim Sika, Koumavi D. Ekouevi, Yerima Mouhoudine, Prince-David Mireille, Anoumou Y. Dagnra
KEYWORDS:
Antibiotics, Prescription Media, Non-Prescription Media, Antibiotic User, Prescription Compliance, Private Pharmacy, Togo
JOURNAL NAME:
Pharmacology & Pharmacy,
Vol.10 No.1,
January
17,
2019
ABSTRACT: Objectives: The present study was
conducted to describe and analyze antibiotic demands via prescription and
non-prescription media received in private pharmacies in Lomé. Methods: A
cross-sectional study was conducted in 26 private pharmacies in Lomé (Togo)
from August to October 2013. The study was based on a survey conducted with a
standardized questionnaire to collect data representing the daily activity of
the pharmacies. Data on prescription documents, non-prescription media,
patients’ and prescribers’ identification, and antibiotics requested were
collected and analyzed. Key findings: During the study period, 596
antibiotic prescriptions were collected. Various prescription and non-prescription
media permitted available antibiotic access in private pharmacies. Seventy-nine percent
(79%) of the received orders contained one antibiotic. All categories of health
care professionals were found among antibiotic prescribers. Prescribers were
not identifiable in 40.2% of all prescription tools received for antibiotics
demand. Forty-four percent (44%) of antibiotic orders were supported by a
prescription. The study found that many people ordering antibiotic (61%) were not the direct users.
Some elements of prescription compliance were mentioned at the rate of 82%, 44.7% and 59% (date, prescribers’ identity
and qualification), 3/4 of the prescription material (patients’ identity and
sex), more than 87% (accuracy of the dosage), 79.7% (oral route of administration)
and less than 1/3 (duration of treatment). The results also indicated that Beta-lactams (41%), quinolones (17%), and 5-nitroimidazoles (15%)
were the most prescribed classes of antibiotics. Conclusions: The study
revealed that more than half of the antibiotics orders, received in pharmacies
were non-compliant. This calls for an awareness of healthcare workers and
populations on the rational use of antibiotics. Access to antibiotics should be further controlled (prescription
dispensing), community should ban other media of obtaining antibiotics without
a prescription and avoid particularly antimicrobial self-medication.