<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/b><\/p>\n
MONDAY, July 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Nonprescription antibiotic use appears to be prevalent in the United States, according to a review published online July 23 in the Annals of Internal Medicine<\/i>.<\/p>\n
Larissa Grigoryan, M.D., Ph.D., from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, and colleagues conducted a scoping review of research on the prevalence of nonprescription antibiotic use in the United States. Data were included from 31 articles that met inclusion criteria.<\/p>\n
The researchers found that depending on population characteristics, the prevalence of nonprescription antibiotic use varied from 1 to 66 percent, while storage of antibiotics for future use varied from 14 to 48 percent; the prevalence of intention to use antibiotics without a prescription was 25 percent. Previously prescribed courses, local markets or stores, and family or friends were sources of antibiotics without a prescription. Easy access through markets or stores that obtain antibiotics for under-the-counter sales, difficulty accessing the health care system, cost of physician visits, long waiting periods in clinics, and transportation methods were all factors contributing to nonprescription use.<\/p>\n
“Nonprescription antibiotic use is clearly a public health problem in all racial\/ethnic groups, but many aspects are understudied,” the authors write. “The need to focus on nonprescription antibiotic use in community-based antimicrobial stewardship programs is urgent.”<\/p>\n
Two authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.<\/p>\n
Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n