title: Over-the-counter sales of antibiotics from community pharmacies in Abu Dhabi.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to investigate over-the-counter sale of antibiotics from community pharmacies in Abu Dhabi city, focusing on the extent, demographic and socioeconomic determinants of this practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, and involved 17 randomly selected private pharmacies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional design using structured observations of 30 clients purchasing antibiotics from a pharmacy staff (either a pharmacist or pharmacy assistant) at each selected pharmacy. A total of 510 interactions were observed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.
  
  
  METHODS
  The extent and types of antibiotics sold over-the-counter in Abu Dhabi city as observed in the selected sample of community pharmacies, and the demographic and socioeconomic factors that contributed to this practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty eight percent (68.4%) of the observed antibiotic sales were sold over-the-counter without prescriptions. Injection antibiotics constituted 2.2% of the antibiotics sold, 45.5% of which were sold over-the-counter. Combination of penicillins including β-lactamase inhibitors (34.0%), penicillins with extended spectrum (22.3%) and second generation cephalosporins (11.2%) were the mostly commonly sold antibiotic groups. Respiratory conditions (63.1%) were the most frequent reason for purchasing antibiotics. Over-the-counter sales of antibiotics were related to client ethnicity and age, gender of pharmacy staff and health complaint.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study revealed high sales of over-the-counter antibiotics, despite this being illegal. The ineffectiveness of antibiotics in treating respiratory conditions of viral origin and effects of such practice on the emergence of bacterial resistance necessitates prompt action.
authors.affiliation: University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. damma696@student.otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: Majd
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dameh
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Norris
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003132:Commerce / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D028743:Professional Misconduct; D014479:United Arab Emirates
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs