Researchers searched Embase, Medline and CINAHL databases for studies reporting the frequency of non-prescription sale and supply of antibiotics around the world. The studies were published from January 2000 to September 2017. They found 3,302 articles, of which 38 studies from 24 countries met the inclusion criteria.
They conducted a random effects meta-analysis to calculate pooled estimates of non-prescription supply of antibiotics.
The overall pooled proportion of non-prescription supply of antibiotics was 62 percent. The pooled proportion of non-prescription supply of antibiotics following a patient request was 78 percent.
Antibiotics were most commonly supplied without a prescription to patients with symptoms of urinary tract infections (68 percent) and upper respiratory tract infections (67 percent).
“Antibiotics are frequently supplied without prescription in many countries,” study authors concluded.
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