ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE (ABR) AND COMMUNITY PHARMACIST: A REVIEW

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a major growing global issue. The WHO report points out high proportions of resistance to common bacterial infections in all regions of the world. Common factors associated with resistance include non-adherence to the prescribed course, improper way of disposing the antibiotics (ABs), misuse and abuse, overuse, and underuse of antibiotics. Another complimenting factor for the increase in the antibiotic resistance is self-medication with antibiotics. This all has caused many infectious diseases to be untreatable. Community pharmacists act as primary source of healthcare information providers to whom the patient directly seeks medical advices. Thus, they can play a central role in ensuring the safer use of antibiotics in the community.