Assessment of knowledge and attitude toward the new antibiotic dispensing law and its effect on antibiotic use in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BackgroundAntibiotics resistance is a serious problem around the world, which has been increasing in the last century due to misuse of antibiotics. Recently, Saudi Arabia enforced the Executive Regulations of Health Practice Law that prohibits dispensing antibiotics without prescription.Aim(1) To assess the association between the knowledge and attitude toward the recent enforcement of the antibiotic restriction Law and the antibiotic use among Saudi population.(2) To assess the pattern of antibiotic use before and after the enforcement of the Law.MethodAn online cross-sectional study was conducted among residents of Saudi Arabia.ResultsThe study was carried out among 570 Saudi participants; the result shows no considerable difference before and after law enforcement in purchasing and use of antibiotics. During the six months before the law implementation, antibiotics were obtained by 42 (7%) through purchase from the pharmacy without a prescription, 23 (4%) through remains of previously used containers, and 7 (1%) through a relative or a friend; while during the six months after the law implementation it was 31 (5%), 22 (4%) and 7 (1%), respectively. Only 48% agreed that they always received advice from a doctor, nurse or pharmacist on how to use your antibiotics. 32% have no knowledge about antibiotic resistance or drug resistance or antibiotic-resistant bacteria. More than two third (75%) were aware of the recent enforcement of the law that prohibits dispensing antibiotics without prescription. Among the participants, 91 (16%), 285 (50%) and 194 (34%) were expressed negative, neutral and positive attitude towards the law, respectively.ConclusionIn spite of the recent enforcement of the Law, there is still misuse of antibiotics, which indicate need for educational programs and campaigns to improve the knowledge of the population.

Cross-Sectional Survey among General Population Regarding Knowledge and Attitude toward Antibiotic Usage in Western Saudi Arabia

“…The practice of over-the-counter sales and use of antibiotics without physicians' prescriptions has contributed to the issue of antibiotic resistance. Even though governmental regulations in Saudi Arabia indicate that antibiotics should be dispensed only upon physicians' prescriptions, this is frequently ignored by pharmacies and the general public [14,15]. A systematic review found that the overall prevalence of people in Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries who had antibiotics without prescription ranged from 14% to 73% with the highest average prevalence in Saudi Arabia (55%), followed by Kuwait (28%), Oman (18%), and Qatar (14%) [16].…”

Self-Medication with Antibiotic among Public Population in Erbil City

“…Furthermore, a study in Saudi Arabia reported that only 34% of their study's respondent practiced self-medication with antibiotics [20]. This can be a result of the new executive regulations of health practice law that was implemented by Saudi Arabia in 2018, as it prohibits dispensing antibiotics without prescription [21]. Although pharmacists are considered one of the most frequently reported sources of medication related information [22].…”

Country data on AMR in Saudi Arabia in the context of community-acquired respiratory tract infections: links between antibiotic susceptibility, local and international antibiotic prescribing guidelines, access to medicine and clinical outcome

“…Increased accessibility for primary health care and provision of health insurance to the population to decrease antibiotic self-medication would also be a recommendation. 15 For healthcare providers, increasing continuous professional development on appropriate antibiotic prescribing, and providing local antimicrobial guidelines and regular consultation with infectious disease experts on infectious diseases are suggested. More studies about local AMR patterns are necessary, and more efforts are needed to educate clinicians about AMR.…”