Pharmacists are regularly confronted with inappropriate requests for antibiotics, with some individuals even stockpiling them for use during holidays despite the growing danger of antimicrobial resistance, according to a recent report.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents 6,000 independent community pharmacies across England, revealed that pharmacy staff are often asked to supply antibiotics for minor conditions like colds and coughs, even when such medications are unnecessary. Their survey indicated that 79% of pharmacists turn down at least one such request per day.
Additionally, 25% of pharmacists reported that patients often returned leftover antibiotics, while 37% said they knew of individuals who routinely saved unused medications for future use. The NPA also noted that partially used antibiotic courses have been shared on local social media platforms.
Further concerns include people requesting antibiotics “just in case” before traveling abroad and returning from overseas with large supplies of antibiotics for conditions that are not typically treated with those drugs in the UK.
BIVDA have long advocated for rapid point-of-care tests in pharmacies to ensure only those who need antibiotics receive them. Providing patients with a definitive diagnosis would not only ameliorate them and prevent impulsive requests, but would also provide a unique learning opportunity about how antibiotics work.
