Antibiotic Use in Primary Care in Northern Ireland

Naomi Hamilton, Heather Coleman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Research is scarce regarding antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance
(AMR) for specific localities in Northern Ireland (NI). Additionally, the
effects of COVID-19 on antimicrobial prescribing patterns and AMR are
unknown. Between the European Union (EU) and United States (US),
AMR causes approximately 68,000 deaths annually. An electronic survey
was developed and distributed to eighty-five community pharmacists
in Belfast. Yearly and monthly prescription data was gathered from the
Business Services Organisation and COVID-19 statistics from Gov.
uk. Over- all response rate was 46%. Most pharmacists (82%) failed to
address prescriber non-compliance with guidelines and antimicrobial
dosing errors (59%). The most common indication for antibiotics was
upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Overprescribing of antibiotics
was perceived as the leading cause of AMR, therefore 69% of pharmacists
indicated increased General Practitioner (GP) compliance with guidelines
would reduce AMR. Pharmacists’ are in an ideal position to reduce AMR
through patient education however, it is demonstrated that pharmacists
failed to adequately counsel patients on antibiotic use. All GP practices
demonstrated inappropriate antibiotic use, especially for URTIs which
suggests antibiotic appropriateness should be reviewed. Many patients
avoided contact with GP’s during COVID-19 which may have resulted
in reduced antibiotic use. This re- search established amoxicillin as the
most commonly prescribed antibiotic, which is contributing to increased
AMR with its broad-spectrum activity and has recognised a decrease in
antibiotic pre- scribing during COVID-19. Based on the results found
and a critical review of the literature it is recommended antimicrobial
guidelines should be reviewed and improved, enhanced training should be
provided to pharmacists and the antibiotic guardian (AG) campaign should
be re-energised.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)198-213
Number of pages16
Journalfortune Journals
Volume8
Issue number2
Early online date27 May 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished online - 27 May 2024

Keywords

  • Antimicrobial use
  • Antimicrobial resistance
  • COVID-19
  • Pharmacists
  • Primary care

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