Antibiotic dispensing without prescription in Jordanian community pharmacies: A pharmacist's perspective

Abstract

The sale of antibiotics without medical prescriptions has been recognized as a major source of drug misuse and medication risk in Jordan. This practice constitutes one of the major causes of the on going problem of antibiotic resistance. This study provides a pharmacist perspective on the problem through presenting the most common antibiotics dispensed, the related indications, and pharmacists proposed solutions to this problem in the city of Amman, Jordan. This was achieved by means of a structured questionnaire prepared by the investigators and completed by the pharmacists themselves. It was suggested that the problem at hand can be overcome through the enforcement of laws to control such practice. Also, increasing awareness among patients and pharmacists, and empowering pharmacists to play more active role in patients care are important steps that will contribute in minimizing this practice.