Study of the Drivers of Inappropriate Use of Antibiotics in Community Pharmacy: Request for Antibiotics Without a Prescription, Degree of Adherence to Treatment and Correct Recycling of Leftover Treatment

Figures & data

Table 1 Characteristics of the Study Population

Characteristics (n=333)	(%)
Gender
Males	44%
Females	56%
Nationality
Spanish	93%
Foreigners	7%
Age group
<18 years	6%
18–65 years	65%
>65 years	28%
Person withdrawing antibiotic
Patient	69%
Caregiver	31%

Figure 1 Degree of patient adherence to antibiotic treatment and reasons for non-adherence.

Figure 2 Antibiotics request in pharmacy.

Table 2 Patient-Related Variables

Patient-Related Variables (n=333)	Yes (%)	No (%)
Request for antibiotic with prescription	83%	17%
Identifies the pathology for which the AB has been prescribed	97.1%	2.9%
Knows the prescribed dosage for taking the AB	76.9%	23.1%
Knows warnings, adverse effects and contraindications	48.3%	51.7%
Knows storage instructions	75.8%	24.2%
Knows the problem of antibiotic resistance	64.5%	35.5%
Understands the importance of recycling surplus AB	26%	74%
Recycles surplus AB at the end of treatment	11%	89%

Abbreviation: AB, antibiotic.

Table 3 Variables Relating to the Physician Prescribing the Antibiotic

Variables Relating to the Physician Prescribing the Antibiotic (n=273)	Yes (%)	No (%)
Performs diagnostic test	27%	73%
Forced prescription of antibiotic at patient’s request	10%	90%
Explains to the patient how to take the antibiotic	84%	16%
Correctly fills in the data on the prescription:
Physician’s details	97%	3%
Patient’s details	73%	27%
Treatment details	76%	24%
The prescribed medicine allows the patient to comply with the indicated dosage	89%	11%

Table 4 Variables Relating to the Dispensing Pharmacist

Variables Relating to the Dispensing Pharmacist (n=273)	Yes (%)	No (%)
Explanation of dosage, warnings, and shelf life	98%	2%
Promotion of the correct use of AB to avoid resistances	93.4%	6.6%
Explanation of the importance of recycling surplus AB	89.4%	10.6%