TY - JOUR
T1 - Dispensing of antimicrobials in Kenya
T2 - a cross sectional pilot study and its implications
AU - Mukokinya, Mwasi Mary Ann
AU - Opanga, Sylvia
AU - Oluka, Margaret
AU - Godman, Brian
PY - 2018/6/29
Y1 - 2018/6/29
N2 - Objectives: Irrational use of antibiotics is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance, enhanced by inappropriate prescribing and dispensing of antibiotics. Little is currently known about dispensing of antibiotics in Kenya including self-medication with antibiotics. Consequently, the objective was to evaluate the extent of self-medication of antibiotics and dispensing practices in Kenya. Methods: Cross sectional study among 3 randomly selected community pharmacies in Nairobi. Findings: There was a low level of dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription with over ninety percent (94.1%) of antibiotics dispensed with a valid prescription. The most common antibiotics dispensed were the penicillins at just over fifty percent of all antibiotics, the cephalosporins at over twelve percent (12.6%) and the fluoroquinolones at just under twelve percent (11.7%). There were concerns with high use of third and fourth generation cephalosporins versus first and second generation as well as co-amoxiclav versus other penicillins. Encouragingly, antibiotics were not dispensed for influenza or a common cold, and generally very good dispensing processes, with typically a good level of medication history and counselling. Conclusion: Low levels of self-medication of antibiotics and high adherence to quality standards for dispensing are encouraging and provide direction to other countries. Educational initiatives are needed though to address high levels of co-amoxiclav prescribing.
AB - Objectives: Irrational use of antibiotics is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance, enhanced by inappropriate prescribing and dispensing of antibiotics. Little is currently known about dispensing of antibiotics in Kenya including self-medication with antibiotics. Consequently, the objective was to evaluate the extent of self-medication of antibiotics and dispensing practices in Kenya. Methods: Cross sectional study among 3 randomly selected community pharmacies in Nairobi. Findings: There was a low level of dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription with over ninety percent (94.1%) of antibiotics dispensed with a valid prescription. The most common antibiotics dispensed were the penicillins at just over fifty percent of all antibiotics, the cephalosporins at over twelve percent (12.6%) and the fluoroquinolones at just under twelve percent (11.7%). There were concerns with high use of third and fourth generation cephalosporins versus first and second generation as well as co-amoxiclav versus other penicillins. Encouragingly, antibiotics were not dispensed for influenza or a common cold, and generally very good dispensing processes, with typically a good level of medication history and counselling. Conclusion: Low levels of self-medication of antibiotics and high adherence to quality standards for dispensing are encouraging and provide direction to other countries. Educational initiatives are needed though to address high levels of co-amoxiclav prescribing.
KW - antibiotics
KW - dispensing
KW - Kenya
KW - pharmacies
KW - self purchasing
UR - http://www.jrpp.net/
U2 - 10.4103/jrpp.JRPP_17_88
DO - 10.4103/jrpp.JRPP_17_88
M3 - Article
SN - 2319-9644
VL - 7
SP - 77
EP - 82
JO - Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice
JF - Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice
IS - 2
ER -