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Time for pharmacy to unite in the fight against antimicrobial resistance
... The role of the community pharmacy team in antimicrobial stewardship can be simplified into two main objectives (CPPE, 2014a): -ensuring antimicrobials are prescribed appropriately when needed; -ensuring they educate patients to improve the chances of them using their antimicrobial properly. These broad aims encompass several opportunities for community pharmacists, but require pharmacists to ensure that they keep up to date with professional development in this area, as advised by Howard et al. (2013). ...
... Although it is imperative to keep up to date with relevant information regarding antimicrobial resistance (Howard et al., 2013), the results show that many community pharmacists are not participating in extra development activities and campaigns on this subject, even when they have the required knowledge to do so. This can be seen in the fact that so few completed the online 'Use antibacterial wisely' development actives and made a pledge, even after reading the CPPE booklet advising them to do so. ...
This study investigated several aspects of antimicrobial stewardship by gathering information from community pharmacists and members of the public. The aim was to identify how community pharmacists implement antimicrobial stewardship guidelines and influence patients on the use of antibiotics. This study required and received approval from the University of Huddersfield Ethics Committee. Information and opinions of community pharmacists in the Kirklees and Calderdale areas, and surrounding local areas, and of members of the public in Huddersfield town centre, were gathered using two different questionnaires. These focused on initiatives regarding antibiotic resistance, development of the competencies required for medicines optimisation and antimicrobial stewardship, patient education by pharmacists, monitoring of antibiotic prescribing and pharmacy access to records. The results obtained were then analysed. The study consisted of 50 participating pharmacists and 100 participating members of the public. It was identified that eight pharmacists had undertaken recent professional development regarding antimicrobial stewardship, 11 had made an Antibiotic Guardian pledge and eight monitored antibiotic prescribing. It was also discovered that, when handing out a prescription for antibiotics, five pharmacists (all of whom work in an independent pharmacy) always questioned the indication and seven always provided extra self-care information. Finally, 92 members of the public selected that they would be comfortable allowing their indication (the condition that the antibiotic is being used to treat) to be provided on prescriptions for antibiotics, and 83 selected that they would be comfortable with pharmacies having access to medical records. This study suggests that increased awareness is necessary of the resources that are available to pharmacists regarding antibiotic resistance initiatives and monitoring of antimicrobial prescribing. In addition, an improvement is required concerning patient education by community pharmacists. Finally, the public should be appropriately educated regarding patient confidentiality and the benefits of pharmacies having access to patient information.
... Las farmacias comunitarias garantizan la igualdad en el acceso y dispensación, seguimiento farmacoterapéutico y el uso de los medicamentos a toda la población. En ellas existe la posibilidad de informar sobre las medidas de prevención de infecciones y recomendaciones sobre el uso correcto de los antimicrobianos (Howard et al., 2013;García-Jiménez & Urrusuno, 2018). ...
El uso inadecuado de antimicrobianos conlleva repercusiones económicas y sanitarias, lo que convierte su control en una prioridad para todos los servicios farmacéuticos comunitarios. Si bien en Cuba existen numerosas investigaciones sobre el consumo de antimicrobianos, en el municipio Guantánamo no hay estudios previos que evalúen este consumo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar el consumo de antimicrobianos en la Farmacia Comunitaria U-621 del municipio Guantánamo durante el año 2020. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo y transversal del tipo utilización de medicamentos de consumo, a partir de la revisión de las recetas prescritas. Se analizaron datos dependientes del prescriptor (procedencia de las recetas y especialidad del médico prescriptor), del paciente (sexo, edad y diagnóstico motivo de la prescripción), y del medicamento (nombre genérico, grupo y subgrupo farmacológico, forma farmacéutica y vía de administración). Predominó el consumo de antimicrobianos por las mujeres (56.00%) y en pacientes mayores de 40 años (32.99%). La mayoría de las recetas procedían de la atención primaria de salud (58.75%) y fueron prescritas principalmente por médicos generales integrales (42.61%). El antimicrobiano más consumido fue la azitromicina (24.47%), predominando la forma farmacéutica tableta (51.00%) y la administración por vía oral (62.49%). El diagnóstico de mayor prescripción fue la bronquitis (15.83%), entre otras enfermedades respiratorias, en correspondencia con las particularidades de la farmacia comunitaria. Se emitieron recomendaciones a los prescriptores y farmacéuticos comunitarios sobre el uso adecuado de los antimicrobianos.
... The collaboration by pharmacists and physicians also helps pharmacists intervene in certain inappropriately prescribed antibiotics thus helping to reduce antibiotic resistance [92]. Also, pharmacists must unite in the fi ght against antibiotic resistance [93]. CPs must be encouraged to participate in ASPs because they play a vital role in regulating the use of antibiotics [94][95][96]. ...
Background: Antimicrobial/Antibiotic Resistance (AMR) is among the major threats to global
health. Due to limited information on the subject matter in Zambia, we assessed the knowledge,
attitude, and practices of community pharmacists on AMR and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS).
Materials and Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among 144 randomly
selected community pharmacists through a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using
Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22 at a 95% confi dence level. The Fisher’s exact
test was used to determine the relationship between sociodemographic factors of community
pharmacists and their knowledge, attitude, and practices on antibiotic resistance and antimicrobial
stewardship.
Results: A response rate of 91% (n = 144) was achieved. Interestingly, 93.8% had good knowledge
while 67% had positive attitudes regarding AMR and AMS. Conversely, 75% of the community
pharmacists demonstrated poor practices towards AMR and AMS. The majority of the CPs 69.4%
agreed that antibiotic resistance is a public health problem. The majority of the CPs 57.6% agreed
that the appropriate use of antibiotics improves patient care and outcome. Of concern, (32.6%) of
CPs rarely collaborated with other healthcare workers in activities that promote infection control and
AMS. Also, the majority of the CPs did not take part in antibiotic awareness campaigns nor educate
the public on antibiotic use and over 80% of CPs regularly issued antibiotics without a prescription.
Conclusions: Even though community pharmacists had good knowledge and positive attitudes,
they demonstrated poor practices that require quick educational interventions. As most CPs issue
antibiotics without a prescription, this should be highlighted as a major policy issue on AMR and
should be addressed by the Government. There is a need to promote AMS sensitization programmes
among community pharmacists.
... Previous studies revealed that pharmacists want to be more involved in AMS [17,18,22]. This may be because community pharmacists can play a key role in encouraging the appropriate use of antibiotics [17,18,23], as well as creating strong lines of professional communication with prescribers for AMS programs [17,24]. In the current study, a high percent of the pharmacists agreed that other healthcare professionals should also understand AMS. ...
Background
This study aimed to assess the role of community pharmacists and their perception toward antimicrobial stewardship, in addition to identifying factors influencing their perception and practices in community pharmacy.
Methods
A cross‐sectional study was carried out among community pharmacists regarding antimicrobial stewardship. Convenience sampling was used to obtain the required sample from a community pharmacy in Baghdad. In total, 381 participants have completed the survey.
Results
The majority of the participants (85.6%) strongly agreed/agreed that “antimicrobial stewardship programs reduce the problems of antibiotic resistance”; and 85.5% of them strongly agreed/agreed that community pharmacists required adequate training on antibiotics use. In addition, high percent of community pharmacists (88.4%) strongly agreed/agreed that pharmacists have a responsibility to take a prominent role in antimicrobial stewardship programs and infection‐control programs in the health system. The total score of perception was significantly influenced by older age groups, postgraduate degrees, and experience of 6–10 years ( p < 0.001). This study also showed that 65.4% of pharmacists always/often advise patients to continue the full course of antimicrobials, and 64.9% of them reported always/often considering clinical and safety parameters before dispensing antibiotics. The role of pharmacists was significantly influenced by the younger age group, females, higher degree in pharmacy, experience of 3–5 years, and medical complex pharmacy ( p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Community pharmacists have a good perception toward antimicrobial stewardship programs, but their role is still limited. More efforts are needed to design better strategies for antimicrobial stewardship in community pharmacy.
... The collaboration between healthcare professionals and pharmacists helps to minimize AMR by pointing out the inappropriately prescribed antimicrobials (Klepser et al., 2015, Tegagn et al., 2017, Saha et al., 2019. Also, pharmacists in different settings must unite in the fight against AMR (Howard et al., 2020). CPs must take part in ASM programs to promote the rational prescribing and dispensing of antimicrobials. ...
Background
Antimicrobial resistance is of paramount concern globally. Community pharmacists (CPs) play a vital role in supporting judicious antimicrobial use in the community as they are the key healthcare providers at a public level. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception of CPs towards antimicrobial stewardship at the community level in Saudi Arabia.
Methods
A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all community pharmacies in four major cities of Saudi Arabia. A simple random sampling approach was used to select pharmacies in each chain.
Results
A total of 520 CPs responded to the survey with a response rate of 98.6%. Most of the pharmacists (n = 479, 92.1%) accepted that antimicrobial stewardship programs are essential tools to limit injudicious usage of antimicrobials at the community level. Interestingly, very few (n = 105, 21%) agreed to recommend antibiotics for common illnesses, including upper respiratory tract infections, cold, and flu without a valid prescription. Further, we found a significant role of Saudi health authorities, e.g., Saudi food & drug authorities and the Ministry of health, in restricting antimicrobials sale in community pharmacies without a valid prescription.
Conclusion
Our study findings revealed that CPs had good knowledge about antimicrobial stewardship in Saudi Arabia. The CPs play an active role in the optimization of antimicrobial therapy and infections caused by different microbes. Strict policies by the Saudi health care authority regarding the restricted dispensing of antimicrobials are welcomed by the CPs and thus may contribute toward lowering of antimicrobial resistance burden on the patients and Saudi health care authorities.
... Antimicrobial drug resistance aims to promote the rational use of antimicrobial medications to escalate the patient's health outcomes and reduce the drug cost, side effects of medications associated with antimicrobial drugs usage. 19 The community pharmacists are the healthcare providers that have an essential role in antimicrobial resistance prevention programmes and dispensing of antimicrobials. The community pharmacists should improve comprehensive knowledge on pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamics, cost of antimicrobial therapy that eventually enhances the individual patients health outcomes. ...
The antimicrobial resistance has more impact on the health care division which would increase the mortality and hospital readmission duration. Our objective is to assess the community pharmacist’s knowledge on dispensing of antimicrobial drugs and prevention of antimicrobial resistance in community practice. A cross-sectional study was conducted for six months. A sample size of 150 registered community pharmacists participated in the study. We have used simple random techniques to select the community pharmacists. Questionnaire were distributed to the community pharmacists at pre and post visits and the response was analyzed. The collected data was analyzed using graph pad prism software. The mean and standard deviation was calculated and P<0.005 was considered to be statistically significant. For 25-30 years of age , community pharmacists were more 68 (45.33%) as compared to other ages. Pre visit before and after average mean antimicrobial resistance score was found to be 4.87. Proper implementation of antimicrobial resistance prevention programmes would drastically increases the rational use of antimicrobials could and minimizes the health care cost.
... The collaboration by pharmacists and physicians also helps pharmacists intervene in certain inappropriately prescribed antibiotics thus helping to reduce antibiotic resistance [92]. Also, pharmacists must unite in the fi ght against antibiotic resistance [93]. CPs must be encouraged to participate in ASPs because they play a vital role in regulating the use of antibiotics [94][95][96]. ...
Background: Antimicrobial/Antibiotic Resistance (AMR) is among the major threats to global health. Due to limited information on the subject matter in Zambia, we assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practices of community pharmacists on AMR and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS). Materials and Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among 144 randomly selected community pharmacists through a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22 at a 95% confidence level. The Fisher's exact test was used to determine the relationship between sociodemographic factors of community pharmacists and their knowledge, attitude, and practices on antibiotic resistance and antimicrobial stewardship. Results: A response rate of 91% (n = 144) was achieved. Interestingly, 93.8% had good knowledge while 67% had positive attitudes regarding AMR and AMS. Conversely, 75% of the community pharmacists demonstrated poor practices towards AMR and AMS. The majority of the CPs 69.4% agreed that antibiotic resistance is a public health problem. The majority of the CPs 57.6% agreed that the appropriate use of antibiotics improves patient care and outcome. Of concern, (32.6%) of CPs rarely collaborated with other healthcare workers in activities that promote infection control and AMS. Also, the majority of the CPs did not take part in antibiotic awareness campaigns nor educate the public on antibiotic use and over 80% of CPs regularly issued antibiotics without a prescription.
... [24] The researchers of that study explained their finding that there is an under-utilization by community pharmacists in Malaysia to combat the antimicrobial resistance, although there is a positive support to incorporate ASPs at the community pharmacy level throughout the world. [24,25] Based on the importance of ASPs, most pharmacists believed that ASPs would reduce antimicrobial resistance and improve the collaboration between health care providers. About 89% of the respondents agreed that ASPs would reduce inappropriate use of antibiotics; this finding is in line with a study in Tasmania, where the percentage was 8.4%. ...
Objectives
The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and perceptions of the Jordanian community pharmacists towards antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs).
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted between August and September 2020. The validated questionnaire consisted of sections that measure participants’ demographics, knowledge and perceptions towards ASPs, and assess antibiotic prescribing practice. Questionnaires were distributed via social media to be filled by community pharmacists in Jordan. For knowledge questions, participants gained one point for each correct answer and zero point for each incorrect answer. Then, a knowledge score was calculated out of 10.
Key findings
During the study period, a convenience sample of 200 pharmacists were recruited and were asked to fill out the study questionnaire, with a majority claimed attending ASPs workshops previously (n = 162, 81.0%). The main sources of knowledge about antimicrobial resistance were university courses and books. With a median knowledge score of 6/10, participants knew that antimicrobials are not always safe. Although only less than 25% knew that ASPs does not necessarily increase treatment duration, most of the pharmacists had positive perceptions towards ASPs. Barriers against application of ASPs were mainly lack of training and lack of physicians’ cooperation (89.0% and 87.5%, respectively). It was agreed by 90.0% of the respondents that ASPs would boost public health confidence in community pharmacists, and 86.0% believed that ASPs would enhance their job satisfaction. Multivariate linear regression showed that female gender of pharmacist was significantly associated with higher knowledge score (P-value = 0.045).
Conclusions
This study highlighted that community pharmacists have a good knowledge in antibiotics and a positive perception regarding ASPs. Despite not being highly familiar with ASPs concept, pharmacists showed great support for involvement in ASPs. They also encouraged incorporating ASPs within community pharmacy level which is considered crucial to control antimicrobial resistance throughout the world.
... Pharmacy teams in the community especially, also play a strategic role in ensuring the rational use of medicines and, as a result, are critically placed to help address AMR [43]. Pharmacists, along with other healthcare professionals, are crucial to ensuring that knowledge and evidence are effectively gathered and provided to members of the public. ...
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which has significant impact on global health care delivery, occurs amid the ongoing global health crisis of antimicrobial resistance. Early data demonstrated that bacterial and fungal co-infection with COVID-19 remain low and indiscriminate use of antimicrobials during the pandemic may worsen antimicrobial resistance It is, therefore, essential to maintain the ongoing effort of antimicrobial stewardship activities in all sectors globally.
... use of antibiotics and to reduce the rates of antibiotics resistance, which are reported in many countries. 19 Consequently, a global action plan on antibiotics resistance is prompted to improving the awareness and perception about antibiotics resistance, strengthening the monitoring and researches, reducing the incidence of infections, and optimizing the use of antibiotics. 20 Within this context, the appropriate dispensing practices in community pharmacy are essential to ensure the optimal utilization of antibiotics in public. ...
Objective:
This study aimed to understand the dispensing practice of antibiotics in community pharmacy in Iraq, in addition to explore the community pharmacists' perception about dispensing antibiotics without prescription.
Methods:
A qualitative design was conducted on community pharmacists in Baghdad, Iraq. Pharmacists were selected conveniently from different gender, age group, pharmacy type and years of experience. Face-to-face semi-structure interview was used with all the pharmacists to get in-depth understanding about their dispensing practice of antibiotics without prescription in community pharmacy. The data was coded and classified for thematic analysis.
Results:
This study found that dispensing of antibiotics without prescription was a common practice in community pharmacy. Pharmacists' perception towards dispensing antibiotics without prescription was associated with the medical condition, safety and efficacy of antibiotics, patients request antibiotics by name, emergency cases, regular customer, promotions from pharmaceutical companies, saving time and cost, brand medications, and poor healthcare services. In addition, there were inadequate knowledge about antibiotic resistance and lack of awareness about antibiotic stewardship leading to inappropriate dispensing practice.
Conclusions:
Community pharmacists have poor perception towards dispensing antibiotics without prescription. Educational interventions about antibiotics use focusing on community pharmacists are needed. This will help to optimize the practice of dispensing of antibiotics in the community. In addition, training programs about antibiotic resistance are important to enhance pharmacists' understanding about antibiotic stewardship.
... In view of their responsibility for rationalising medication use, pharmacists are critically placed, especially in LMICs to enhance the appropriate use of antimicrobials to reduce AMR, which is increasingly recognised across countries. 28 This is particularly important in Pakistan where antimicrobials can easily be purchased without a prescription as most pharmacies do not comply with the legal requirements. 29 30 This is illustrated in this study where most of the interviewed community pharmacists felt comfortable dispensing antimicrobials without a doctor's prescription, similar to studies conducted among LMICs as well as Saudi Arabia where antimicrobial dispensing without doctor's prescription is common. ...
There are concerns with the extent of dispensing of antibiotics among community pharmacists in Pakistan often without a prescription adding to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) rates. The objective of the study was to explore the determinants of AMR and the pattern of antimicrobial dispensing among community pharmacists. In this qualitative study design, a semi structured interview guide was developed based on an in-depth review of published papers. Audio-recorded interviews with transcripts were analysed by thematic content analysis. Interviews were conducted among community pharmacists in Lahore, Pakistan. In order to obtain individual points of view, in-depth face-to-face interviews with purposively selected pharmacists were conducted. A total of 12 pharmacists were interviewed for the study. After analysis, four major themes emerged: (1) knowledge and perception of community pharmacists about antimicrobials, (2) antimicrobial dispensing practices of community pharmacists, (3) determinants of AMR, (4) potential interventions to control AMR. Most of the pharmacists have limited knowledge about AMR, antimicrobial stewardship programmes and related guidelines. However, all the pharmacists strongly agreed that different appropriate actions should be taken in order to rationalise future antimicrobial use. The results indicated that irrational antimicrobial dispensing and use is common among community pharmacists in Pakistan
owing to lack of knowledge. The community pharmacists perceived that behaviour of patients and the societal environment contributed to irrational antimicrobial use and subsequent development of AMR. They suggested a need for a multidisciplinary framework in order to improve future antimicrobial use and reduce AMR in Pakistan.
... Community pharmacists have a strategic role in managing antibiotic resistance by managing patient expectations to be prescribed antibiotics. [22] The activity of antibiotics against the most likely pathogen present was the most important drug-related factor that pharmacists would consider if prescribing antibiotics. This finding is in line with another study undertaken by the authors which assessed antibiotic prescribing practices amongst local general practitioners. ...
Objectives
To investigate the perception of Maltese pharmacists to prescribe a selected number of antibiotics.
Methods
A self‐administered questionnaire entitled ‘Antibiotic Prescribing by Pharmacists’ was developed to study pharmacist perception to prescribing a selected number of antibacterial agents. The questionnaire was validated by a two‐round Delphi technique and disseminated to all practising pharmacists (N = 930) during a 3‐month period.
Key findings
Two hundred and nine pharmacists answered the questionnaire. The majority of pharmacists (77%) were in agreement with pharmacists prescribing a selected number of antibacterials. Reasons given are that pharmacist prescribing would increase recognition of the participation of pharmacists within patient care and as members of the healthcare team. Protocol‐based prescribing was the preferred model for prescribing by 60% of pharmacists. Half of the respondents (50%) feel competent to prescribe, 34% have no opinion and 16% do not feel competent at all. Co‐amoxiclav for an uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection was the antibacterial that most pharmacists (51%) feel confident prescribing. When pharmacists were asked whether they feel comfortable prescribing other medications rather than antibacterials, 93% answered positively, with 83% feeling mostly comfortable prescribing lactulose solution.
Conclusion
Pharmacists in Malta are in agreement with prescribing selected antibiotics for minor ailments. A collaborative approach between medical practitioners and pharmacists should be evaluated as a possible national structure towards achieving better antibiotic prescribing whilst giving patient access to the use of antibacterials as necessary.
... WHO has reported concerns about the threat of antibiotic resistance and stressed the need for public awareness of the responsible use of antibiotics. 1 Patients have an important role to play in the control of antibiotic resistance, by reducing use of unnecessary antibiotics for common infections (such as for respiratory infections) and by adhering to their prescription instructions when they do receive antibiotics. 2 Community pharmacists can facilitate this through their contact with patients and by promoting antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) initiatives within their pharmacies. 3 Community pharmacists have the opportunity to influence patient expectation by educating patients on effective self-care treatments and the negative consequences of using antibiotics, such as side effects and resistance. 4 strengths and limitations of this study ► This is the first study to explore pharmacists' and pharmacy staff attitudes and experiences around self-care advice for common infections, antibiotic compliance advice, antimicrobial stewardship activities and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). ...
Objectives
Community pharmacists and their staff have the potential to contribute to antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). However, their barriers and opportunities are not well understood. The aim was to investigate the experiences and perceptions of community pharmacists and their teams around AMS to inform intervention development.
Design
Interviews and focus groups were used to explore the views of pharmacists, pharmacy staff, general practitioners (GPs), members of pharmacy organisations and commissioners. The questioning schedule was developed using the Theoretical Domains Framework which helped inform recommendations to facilitate AMS in community pharmacy.
Results
8 GPs, 28 pharmacists, 13 pharmacy staff, 6 representatives from pharmacy organisations in England and Wales, and 2 local stakeholders participated.
Knowledge and skills both facilitated or hindered provision of self-care and compliance advice by different grades of pharmacy staff. Some staff were not aware of the impact of giving self-care and compliance advice to help control antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The pharmacy environment created barriers to AMS; this included lack of time of well-qualified staff leading to misinformation from underskilled staff to patients about the need for antibiotics or the need to visit the GP, this was exacerbated by lack of space. AMS activities were limited by absent diagnoses on antibiotic prescriptions.
Several pharmacy staff felt that undertaking patient examinations, questioning the rationale for antibiotic prescriptions and performing audits would allow them to provide more tailored AMS advice.
Conclusions
Interventions are required to overcome a lack of qualified staff, time and space to give patients AMS advice. Staff need to understand how self-care and antibiotic compliance advice can help control AMR. A multifaceted educational intervention including information for staff with feedback about the advice given may help. Indication for a prescription would enable pharmacists to provide more targeted antibiotic advice. Commissioners should consider the pharmacists’ role in examining patients, and giving advice about antibiotic prescriptions.
... However, it is worth mentioning that most of pharmacists were neutral to the statement about the integration of AMS programs in community pharmacy settings. This could be due to the underutilization of community pharmacists in combating the problem of antimicrobial resistance, even though evidences support that community pharmacist could take a prominent role in rational use of antibiotics [10,18]. In Ethiopia, there is no recognized AMS program executed in community pharmacies. ...
Background. Community pharmacists are key healthcare professionals for antimicrobial stewardship programs owing to their role in dispensing of antimicrobials. The aim of the present study was to assess the perception and practices of community pharmacists towards antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in Ethiopia. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted by selecting pharmacy sites through stratified simple random sampling technique. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Results. Majority of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that AMS program is vital for the improvement of patient care. Almost all of respondents agreed that pharmacists can play a prominent role in AMS and infection prevention (93.2%, median = 5; IQR = 2–5). However, only 26.5% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that AMS should be practiced at community pharmacy level (median = 4, IQR = 1–3) and more than half of community pharmacists (59.9%) often/always dispense antimicrobial without a prescription. Conclusion. The present study revealed positive perceptions and practices of community pharmacists towards antimicrobial stewardship. Yet, some weak areas like integration of AMS program in community pharmacies, the significance of interprofessional involvement, and dispensing of antimicrobials without a valid prescription still need improvement.
... However, it is noteworthy to mention that majority of respondents in this study were neutral in their opinion about the incorporation of AMS programs in community pharmacy settings. The likely reason for this discrepancy could be the under-utilization of community pharmacists in the war against antimicrobial resistance, although researchers indicate that community pharmacist could play an essential role in optimizing the use of antibiotics [24]. Furthermore, there is a growing support to incorporate AMS program at community pharmacy level [25]. ...
... However, it is noteworthy to mention that majority of respondents in this study were neutral in their opinion about the incorporation of AMS programs in community pharmacy settings. The likely reason for this discrepancy could be the under-utilization of community pharmacists in the war against antimicrobial resistance, although researchers indicate that community pharmacist could play an essential role in optimizing the use of antibiotics [24]. Furthermore, there is a growing support to incorporate AMS program at community pharmacy level [25]. ...
... However, it is noteworthy to mention that majority of respondents in this study were neutral in their opinion about the incorporation of AMS programs in community pharmacy settings. The likely reason for this discrepancy could be the under-utilization of community pharmacists in the war against antimicrobial resistance, although researchers indicate that community pharmacist could play an essential role in optimizing the use of antibiotics [24]. Furthermore, there is a growing support to incorporate AMS program at community pharmacy level [25]. ...
Background
Increasing antimicrobial resistance is one of the pressing concerns globally. Injudicious use of antibiotics is one of the modifiable factors responsible for antimicrobial resistance. Given the widespread use of antimicrobials in community settings, pharmacists have an important role in ensuring appropriate use of antibiotics. The objective of this study was to assess the perception and self-reported practices of community pharmacists towards antimicrobial stewardship.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among community pharmacists between March–April, 2015, using a self-administered, pre-tested questionnaire in the State of Selangor, Malaysia. A simple random sampling approach was used to select pharmacy sites. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyse the data.
Results
A total of 188 pharmacists responded to the survey, giving a response rate of 83.5%. The majority of participants (n = 182, 96.8%) believed that antimicrobial stewardship program helps healthcare professionals to improve the quality of patient care. However, more than half of pharmacists were neutral in their opinion about the incorporation of antimicrobial stewardship programs in community pharmacies (n = 102, 54.2%). Though collaboration was often done by pharmacists with other health professionals over the use of antibiotics (n = 104, 55.3%), a significant proportion of participants (n = 102, 54.2%) rarely/occasionally participate in antimicrobial awareness campaigns. Pharmacists having postgraduate qualification were more likely to held positive perceptions of, and were engaged in, antimicrobial stewardship than their non-postgraduate counterpart (p<0.05). Similarly, more experienced pharmacists (> 10 years) held positive perceptions towards antimicrobial stewardship (p<0.05).
Conclusion
The study highlighted some gaps in the perception and practices of community pharmacist towards antimicrobial stewardship. Development of customized interventions would be critical to bridging these gaps and improve their perception and practices towards antimicrobial stewardship.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the scourge of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) a global emergency of gigantic proportions following the most recent evolution of pan-resistant organisms. It is postulated that AMR will be the leading cause of death by 2050. Misuse, abuse, and overuse are key driving factors of AMR. Though hospital environments traditionally have a reputation as the major driving factor for the development of AMR, the animal sector and environment play a key role too, necessitating a One Health approach. Considering the consequences of AMR on the African continent coupled with the lack of awareness, it has become imperative to describe in simple terms the role the various segments of society have to play. This chapter therefore sets out to clearly elucidate specific ways six unique sectors can join the battle against antimicrobial resistance. It is our prayer that in addition to serving as a key resource material in communicating the basics of antimicrobial resistance, this will also encourage more of a conversation because working together, this scourge can be eradicated.
Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a global challenge as it leads to a high risk of mortality and is a more vital economic issue. Many programs and research have been implemented to improve the irrational use of antibiotics associated with reducing antimicrobial resistance.
Objectives: This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of anti-microbial resistance survey among health workers from two selected health centers in Liberia - Redemption Hospital and the John F. Kennedy Medical Centre.
Methods: The cross-sectional study used a survey questionnaire on antimicrobial resistance. One hundred and twenty-six health workers comprised of physicians, pharmacists, and nurses were recruited from the two health centers.
Results: A response rate of N = 29 (physicians), N = 16 (pharmacists) and N = 81 (nurses) was achieved for the health workers respectively. The results show that antibiotic is fundamentally used in the treatment of viral infection, 93.1% (N=27) of the physicians, 87.5% (N=14) of the pharmacists, and 77.8% (N=63) correctly responded to the questions. About 86% (N=25) of physicians, 81% (N=13) of pharmacists, and 61.7% (N=50) disagree that antibiotic resistance is not an issue in Liberia. The proportion of health workers who agreed that antibiotics are not the ideal medication in the curing of fungal infections is 86% (N=25) physicians, 75% (N=12) pharmacists, and 64% (N=52) nurses. Relative to the testing, health workers' knowledge of antimicrobial resistance, 37.9% (N=11), 43.8% (N=7), and 32.1% (N=26) of the physicians, pharmacists, and nurses respectively agreed that bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics could be spread from person to person.
Conclusions: This study revealed important information on the knowledge, attitude, and practice of physicians, pharmacists, and nurses about AMR that could be useful for designing a knowledge base research.
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