Vol.69 No.6 November 2021
A survey on the attitudes of practitioners in Niigata Prefecture towards appropriate use of oral antimicrobials for symptoms of the common cold
1)Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Niigata University of Pharmacy and Applied Life Sciences, 265-1 Higashijima, Akiha-ku, Niigata, Japan
2)Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as a global problem, and ensuring appropriate use of antimicrobials has become increasingly important. In this study, we conducted a survey of the attitude of practitioners at clinics in Niigata Prefecture towards appropriate use of antimicrobials for common cold. Valid responses were obtained from 442 of 1,238 clinics (response rate, 35.7%). More than 70% of practitioners prescribed antimicrobial agents for cold syndrome at a rate of less than 30%. When a patient with a common cold (or his/her family) requested an antimicrobial prescription, 37.8% of the respondents went ahead and prescribed an antimicrobial if the patient not convinced by the explanation provided for not prescribing an antibiotic. In response to questions about general measures and pharmacist-led measures for appropriate use of antimicrobials, approximately 60% of the respondents selected "raising awareness and implementing public awareness activities", and 50% selected "development of pamphlets for patients". Considering that antimicrobials were prescribed for common cold in 48.3%±21.6% of cases according to a report in 2006, appropriate use of antimicrobials seems to have become more prevalent over the past 15 years or so. The role of pharmacists will be significant in further promoting measures to prevent AMR in the future, and since pharmacists are expected to educate the general public and patients, education of pharmacists is urgently needed. In addition, collaboration with practitioners is essential, although there are reports of difficulties in collaborating and communicating with practitioners to effect measures against AMR. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the environment for information sharing.
Key word
antimicrobial agent, antimicrobial resistance, appropriate use, surveillance
Received
August 7, 2020
Accepted
September 24, 2021
Jpn. J. Chemother. 69 (6): 440-444, 2021