Availability of over-the-counter antibiotics in Guatemalan corner stores

PLoS One. 2020 Sep 25;15(9):e0239873. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239873. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Widespread availability of antibiotics without prescription potentially facilitates overuse and contributes to selection pressure for antimicrobial resistant bacteria. Prior to this study, anecdotal observations in Guatemala identified corner stores as primary antibiotic dispensaries, where people purchase antibiotics without prescriptions. We carried out a cross sectional study to document the number and types of antibiotics available in corner stores, in four study areas in Guatemala. A total of 443 corner stores were surveyed, of which 295 (67%) sold antibiotics. The most commonly available antibiotics were amoxicillin, found in 246/295 (83%) stores, and tetracycline, found in 195/295 (66%) stores. Over the counter sales result from laissez-faire enforcement of antibiotic dispensing regulations in Guatemala combined with patient demand. This study serves as a baseline to document changes in the availability of antibiotics in informal establishments in light of new pharmacy regulations for antibiotic dispensing, which were adopted after this study was completed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / economics
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / supply & distribution*
  • Drug Misuse / statistics & numerical data
  • Drug Utilization / statistics & numerical data*
  • Guatemala
  • Humans
  • Nonprescription Drugs / administration & dosage
  • Nonprescription Drugs / economics
  • Nonprescription Drugs / supply & distribution*
  • Self Administration / statistics & numerical data*
  • Small Business / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Nonprescription Drugs

Grants and funding

Funding for this project was provided in part by the Paul G. Allen School of Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. There was no additional external funding received for this study.