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@article{192712,
        author = {Zahir Momin and Adnan Shaikh and Siddheshwar Mehtre and Ms.Ashiwini Sukhdev Pundkar and Mr. Kaushik Kailash Kamble and Ms.Prachi Murkute and Dr. Payghan Santosh A.},
        title = {MISUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN COMMUNITY PHARMACY},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {9},
        pages = {2045-2050},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=192712},
        abstract = {Antibiotics remain one of the most significant discoveries in modern medicine, transforming the management of infectious diseases and substantially reducing mortality and morbidity. However, the benefits of these life-saving agents are increasingly compromised by their irrational and excessive use. Antibiotic misuse has emerged as a major global health challenge, closely linked with the rapid rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Among the various points of healthcare delivery, community pharmacies occupy a unique and influential position, as they represent the most accessible source of medicines for a large segment of the population. In many regions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, antibiotics are frequently obtained directly from community pharmacies without a valid prescription, often for conditions where antimicrobial therapy is unnecessary or inappropriate.
This review aims to examine the patterns, determinants, and consequences of antibiotic misuse in community pharmacy practice. Evidence from multiple studies indicates that misuse commonly manifests as non-prescription dispensing, inappropriate antibiotic selection, incorrect dosing regimens, prolonged or shortened duration of therapy, and inadequate patient counseling. Such practices are shaped by a combination of factors, including patient expectations and demands, limited awareness regarding AMR, economic and commercial pressures, insufficient enforcement of existing regulations, and variability in pharmacists’ knowledge and attitudes toward antimicrobial stewardship. Additionally, self-medication behaviors, leftover antibiotic use, and reliance on informal healthcare advice further exacerbate the problem.
The inappropriate use of antibiotics contributes significantly to the development and spread of resistant microorganisms, leading to treatment failures, recurrent infections, increased hospitalization rates, and greater financial burden on healthcare systems. Beyond resistance, antibiotic misuse is associated with avoidable adverse drug reactions, disruption of normal microbiota, and masking of underlying diseases. The role of community pharmacists is therefore critical in promoting rational antibiotic use. Pharmacists can act as gatekeepers by ensuring prescription compliance, providing accurate drug information, educating patients on adherence and resistance, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals in antimicrobial stewardship initiatives.
Addressing antibiotic misuse in community pharmacies requires a multifaceted approach. Strengthening regulatory frameworks, enhancing professional education and training, implementing stricter monitoring of dispensing practices, and increasing public awareness about the risks of inappropriate antibiotic use are essential strategies. Sustainable interventions should integrate policy measures with professional accountability and patient-centered education. Effective control of antibiotic misuse is vital to preserve the therapeutic efficacy of existing antibiotics and to mitigate the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance.},
        keywords = {Antibiotic misuse; Community pharmacy; Antimicrobial resistance; Non-prescription dispensing; Rational drug use; Antimicrobial stewardship},
        month = {February},
        }