Over-the-counter sales of antibiotics from community pharmacies in Abu Dhabi

Dameh, Majd; Green, James; Norris, Pauline

doi:10.1007/s11096-010-9418-5

Cited by 47 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 34 publications

(66 reference statements)

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“…The same finding has been observed in Riyadh, as 77.6% of pharmacies dispensed antibiotics without a prescription mainly to treat scenarios consistent with viral infections (142). Although selling antibiotics without a prescription in UAE is also illegal, 68.4% of antibiotics from Abu Dhabi community pharmacies were sold over the counter, including injectable antibiotics (143).…”

Section: Gram-negative Bacilli In the Arabian Peninsulasupporting

confidence: 58%

β-Lactamase Production in Key Gram-Negative Pathogen Isolates from the Arabian Peninsula

et al. 2013

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SUMMARY Infections due to Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The extent of antibiotic resistance in GNB in countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), namely, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain, has not been previously reviewed. These countries share a high prevalence of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)- and carbapenemase-producing GNB, most of which are associated with nosocomial infections. Well-known and widespread β-lactamases genes (such as those for CTX-M-15, OXA-48, and NDM-1) have found their way into isolates from the GCC states. However, less common and unique enzymes have also been identified. These include PER-7, GES-11, and PME-1. Several potential risk factors unique to the GCC states may have contributed to the emergence and spread of β-lactamases, including the unnecessary use of antibiotics and the large population of migrant workers, particularly from the Indian subcontinent. It is clear that active surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in the GCC states is urgently needed to address regional interventions that can contain the antimicrobial resistance issue.

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Section: Gram-negative Bacilli In the Arabian Peninsulasupporting

confidence: 58%

β-Lactamase Production in Key Gram-Negative Pathogen Isolates from the Arabian Peninsula

et al. 2013

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“…25 As most of the expatriate population of UAE are citizens of developing countries which have a reputation of easy availability of antibiotics without prescriptions, 26,27 we presume these POMs may have been accessed from stocks at home or unused drugs from previous prescriptions. 6,28 Similar observations of increased use of antibiotics for SM have been reported in other studies. 10,[16][17][18] Higher rates of antibiotic usage were reported by junior doctors (81%) 20 and medical students (34%, 39%, 45%).…”

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confidence: 83%

The future physicians of United Arab Emirates: how do they self-medicate?

Shehnaz

Khan

Sreedharan

et al. 2015

Int J Basic Clin Pharmacol

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INTRODUCTIONSelf-medication (SM) is the exposure to a drug for selftreatment, without the advice of a physician.1,2 Risks due to SM include delayed diagnosis of diseases, misdiagnosis, adverse effects, drug-drug interactions, polypharmacy, etc.3 On the other hand, safe and "responsible" SM can reduce the burden on health services and be costeffective. 2,3 SM is being commonly practiced by university students all over the world with the prevalence rates ranging from 76% to 98%. 4,5 In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), more than half of the general population (56%) were misusing antibiotics bought from community pharmacies. 6 The UAE, a country in the Middle East, has a unique population base which is almost entirely made up of expatriates of multi-ethnic groups (83%). 7 The self-medicating practices of expatriates may be influenced by easy accessibility to medicines from their home countries. It was also earlier reported that 89% of expatriate adolescents of UAE were self-medicating with over-the-counter (OTC) medications and prescription-only medicines (POM). 8Health professions have often been a predictive factor for SM probably due to easy access to medicines and information.9,10 Students in health professions have reported higher prevalence of health complaints for which they seem to be frequently self-medicating.11-13 A physician's personal healthcare practices can substantially impact the quality of care offered to his patients. Studies have revealed that medical practitioners with inappropriate healthcare behaviors (smoking, alcohol intake, the absence of exercise or seatbelt use) are unlikely to counsel patients about such practices. 9 Hence, there is a possibility that the SM practices of medical students, the future practitioners will have a bearing on their impending professional practice. ABSTRACTBackground: Health professions have been a predictive factor for self-medication (SM). SM practices of medical students, the future practitioners will have a bearing on their impending professional practice. The aims were to identify prevalence and practice of SM among the medical students of Gulf Medical University (GMU), United Arab Emirates and to assess the associating factors. Methods: The study was planned as a cross-sectional descriptive survey among 247 medical students of GMU. Students from 1st to 5th year were included in the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 19. Associations were tested with Chi-square test. Results: SM with both over-the-counter medications and prescription-only medicines was practiced by 65% of students. The prevalence of SM was associated with the year of study and age. The most common sources of drugs were private pharmacies and stocks at home. The students mostly relied on themselves and parents for drug selection. The self-reliance significantly increased with year of study. Common indications for SM were headache and flu symptoms and correspondingly, analgesics and antipyretics were frequently used. A high prevalence of misuse of antibiotics was also reported. SM w...

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“…In contrast, Maltese (19%)16, and Brazilian adolescents (8.6%)3 seemed to be using antibiotics less often. The general population of UAE is also reported to be self-medicating frequently with antibiotics acquired from community pharmacies without prescriptions30,31, though the OTC dispensing of antibiotic is illegal 18…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-medication and related health complaints among expatriate high school students in the United Arab Emirates

Shehnaz

Khan

Sreedharan

et al. 2013

Pharmacy Practice (Internet)

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BackgroundSelf-medication, often without adult guidance, has been reported to be a common practice during adolescence. Similar to other preventable health-risk behaviors initiated in early adolescence, it has become a cause for concern universally.ObjectiveThis study examines the prevalence of self-medication with both prescribed and non-prescribed (OTC) medications, related health complaints, sources of drugs, and sources of drug recommendation, and gender differences related to self-medication among expatriate high school students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 324 expatriate students through a validated, self-administered questionnaire and data was analyzed using SPSS 19 version. Means and proportions were calculated and Pearson Chi-square test of significance was used to analyze association among variables.ResultsMajority of the participating students, almost equally distributed by gender, was aged 16 to 17 years. The period prevalence rate of self-medication with prescribed and OTC medications were 89.2%, which did not vary with age, gender, ethnicity or parents’ educational level. The most common sources of drug and drug recommendation were community pharmacies and parents respectively. Headache and fever were the common self-medicated conditions and consequently, analgesics and antipyretics were most commonly used both in the previous two weeks and the previous year prior to the survey. A high prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics (53%) and sedative/hypnotics (27%) was also observed. A female excess emerged for certain health complaints and use of medicines except for the use of anti-allergic and herbal/homeopathic drugs.ConclusionsThis is the first study to explore self-medication practices among high school students in UAE and provides baseline data critical in creating awareness about the risks and benefits of self-medication. Health care providers, educators and parents should be actively involved in health education strategies for inculcating responsible self-medication practices in the adolescent population of UAE.

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Over-the-counter sales of antibiotics from community pharmacies in Abu Dhabi

Abstract: Our study revealed high sales of over-the-counter antibiotics, despite this being illegal. The ineffectiveness of antibiotics in treating respiratory conditions of viral origin and effects of such practice on the emergence of bacterial resistance necessitates prompt action.

Cited by 47 publications

References 34 publications

β-Lactamase Production in Key Gram-Negative Pathogen Isolates from the Arabian Peninsula

β-Lactamase Production in Key Gram-Negative Pathogen Isolates from the Arabian Peninsula

The future physicians of United Arab Emirates: how do they self-medicate?

Self-medication and related health complaints among expatriate high school students in the United Arab Emirates

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