Abstract

GASTELURRUTIA, Miguel Ángel; LARRANAGA, Belen  and  ORTEGA, Begoña. First program on rational use of antibiotics in Gipuzkoa: Assessment of 1999-2004 period. Pharmacy Pract (Granada) [online]. 2006, vol.4, n.1, pp.01-08. ISSN 1886-3655.

Objective: Results of the first program on rational use of antibiotics in Gipuzkoa, until the year 2004, are analyzed. This program was set up in 1999 and almost half of the pharmacies in the province have participated in it in a voluntary way. Method: Data were gathered within the pharmacies during one week every three months, and by writing up all the antibiotics, both demanded and dispensed without corresponding prescription, and also some information related to the activity of the pharmacists in the dispensing process. All data were sent to the Gipuzkoa Professional Association. Results: antibiotics' demand without prescription diminished to reach a 3.6% out of the overall antibiotics demand. On the other hand, antibiotics dispensing without the prescription fell until the 1.6% out of the overall antibiotics dispensed. These figures mean that a few antibiotics keep being dispensed without the corresponding prescription. Conclusions: This program achieved a reduction on both the demand and the dispensing of antibiotics without the corresponding prescription. It's important to keep working on these kind of programs to reinforce the professional role of pharmacists by a more active participation of related organizations, the use of protocols and guidelines, and the possible use of negative incentives.

Keywords : Rational use of drugs; Antibiotics.

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