Evaluación del uso racional de antibióticos betalactámicos en farmacias comunitarias de la ciudad de Ambato, Ecuador

Abstract

The present research work had as aim to evaluate the rational use of beta-lactam antibiotics in community pharmacies in the city of Ambato, through a descriptive and transversal type study. The sample was conformed by 128 users that came to request these antibiotics with and without recipes, during the period of November – December 2019. For the information collection, a report of daily dispensations of beta-lactams, patient surveys, a checklist of the dispensing process and interviews with pharmacy staff were used. For statistical analysis it was used Excel and SPSS 25, obtaining according to the daily dispensations report, a total of 1937 of which 81.52% were purchased without a prescription, with the antibiotics of the penicillin group being the most in demand. In the surveyed users it was evidenced that people between 31-40 years of age mainly acquired beta-lactams and within the potential factors for the development of bacterial resistance, it was determined that 64.8% were administered these medications for any pathology 69.5% of the users even having recipes acquired incomplete treatment and 63.3% self-medicated due to lack of time and / or money to assist the doctor. When evaluating the dispensation, it was determined that pharmacy staff promoted the free sale of antibiotics, in addition, they did not consider all the criteria of an adequate dispensation, since they did not inquire about basic pathologies, possible allergies and did not provide complete information on the medication, as possible interactions and adverse effects. It is concluded that there is a high degree of self-medication, both due to people's lack of knowledge about the risks of inappropriate use of antibiotics, and because of the easy access to these drugs in pharmacies. It is recommended to promote the rational use of beta-lactam antibiotics to guarantee therapeutic effectiveness and avoid the generation of bacterial resistance.