European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ANTIBIOTICS UTILIZATION PROFILE IN COMMUNITY PHARMACIES IN RIVERS STATE, NIGER DELTA, REGION, NIGERIA

*Mgbahurike Augustina Amaka and Biibaloo Bariweremelo Blessing

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Antibiotics are types of antimicrobial drugs/agents used in the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections. The misuse of these agents could lead to development of resistant strains of bacteria as well as increase in therapeutic cost. The objective of this study is to determine the antibiotic distribution/utilization profile in community pharmacies in Rivers State, and to assess the pharmacists’ practice towards antibiotic distribution. Method: The study was carried out in 75 randomly selected community pharmacies spread across the State. Sales records of these pharmacies were reviewed and relevant information extracted, with the pharmacists’ consent, for 6months. Contact was made with the superintendent pharmacists to assess their attitude/practice towards antibiotics utilization, using structured self- administered questionnaire. Result: The penicillins (19.5%), fluoroquinolones (13.9%), macrolides(12.8%), were the most commonly dispensed antibiotics, while lincosamide (2.6)% ,were the least dispensed. The common conditions for which the antibiotics were dispensed were STIs(30%), UTI(28%) Cough (18%), Sinuses infection (10%), Pneumonia (7%), sore throat (3%), and other conditions such as dental cases and influenza (4%). Zone (B) dispensed the highest number of antibiotics 11823 (mean 5911.5±47 while Zone F Elemen/Elelenwo dispensed the least number of antibiotics 7590 (mean 3795±23). It was observed that most of the antibiotics dispensed (54%) was based on pharmacists’ recommendation while 23% each, was based on physicians’ prescriptions and patients’ demand respectively. More than half (57%) of the community pharmacists recommend and give broad spectrum antibiotics, 23% gave antibiotics similar to physicians prescription, while 13% refer patient to a physician. 87% of community pharmacists gave patients advice on dose compliance while 17% educate patients on potential side effects of antibiotics dispensed. As 50% admitted to appropriateness of antibiotic prescription that comes to the Pharmacies, 33% claimed that it’s only sometime. Conclusion: Antibiotic utilization is high in community pharmacy in Rivers State with its attendant consequences, but the appropriateness of antibiotic prescription and recommendation is in line with the common conditions within the environment.

Keywords: Antibiotics Utilization, Community Pharmacies, Rivers State, Nigeria.