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Nonprescription sale of schedule H1 antibiotics in a city of South India
Vineela Chadalavada1, S Manohar Babu2, K Balamurugan1
1 Department of Pharmacy, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India
2 Department of Pharmacy Practice, Southern Institute of Medical Sciences, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
Correspondence Address:
Mrs. Vineela Chadalavada
Department of Pharmacy, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram - 608 002, Tamil Nadu
India
CONTEXT: The acquisition of antibiotic without a prescription by the general population is a typical practice found in community pharmacies across India, which is a notable contributor of antimicrobial resistance. According to the present regulation in India, sale of certain antimicrobials included in schedule H1 without prescription is unlawful. In this contest, a program was organized by the Drug Control Administration, Government of Andhra Pradesh, to educate pharmacists regarding schedule H1.
AIMS: The aim of our study is to assess the impact of the program on the rate of antibiotics dispensed at community pharmacies.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the nonprescription sale of antibiotics, from September to December 2018 through 200 community pharmacies located in and around Guntur city located in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A simulated client methodology was used in this study. A total of 3 female actors including an author of this present study are prior trained to present a standardized simulation of clinical conditions (sore throat, urinary tract infection, cold, and fever) to the pharmacist at the community pharmacies.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Microsoft excel sheet was used for data analysis.
RESULTS: The simulated patients successfully obtained antibiotic from 78% pharmacies with the highest rate of urinary tract infection when compared to other conditions. Pharmacists who objected to dispense antibiotics (22%) are found in developed locations in the city and appeared well qualified.
CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that the antibiotics are continued to be sold without prescription even after the education program on schedule H1. The deregulation of the act is definitely the problem to be addressed by the government.
How to cite this article:
Chadalavada V, Babu S M, Balamurugan K. Nonprescription sale of schedule H1 antibiotics in a city of South India.Indian J Pharmacol 2020;52:482-487
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How to cite this URL:
Chadalavada V, Babu S M, Balamurugan K. Nonprescription sale of schedule H1 antibiotics in a city of South India. Indian J Pharmacol [serial online] 2020 [cited 2023 Mar 29 ];52:482-487
Available from: https://www.ijp-online.com/article.asp?issn=0253-7613;year=2020;volume=52;issue=6;spage=482;epage=487;aulast=Chadalavada;type=0 |
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