TY - JOUR AU - Husaini, Danladi C AU - Abubakar, Yusuf AU - Harris-Thurton, Lydia AU - Mphuthi, David D. PY - 2021/03/03 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Over-The-Counter Sales of Antibiotics at Community Pharmacies in Belize: A Cross-Sectional Simulated Client Visit study JF - Integrative Journal of Medical Sciences JA - Integr J Med Sci VL - 8 IS - SE - RESEARCH ARTICLES DO - 10.15342/ijms.2021.455 UR - https://mbmj.org/index.php/ijms/article/view/455 SP - AB - <p><strong>Aim:</strong> In Belize, antibiotics are categorized as prescription-only drugs, and their sales over the counter without a prescription is prohibited. This study assessed the sales and dispensing of antibiotics in community pharmacies without a prescription. <br><strong>Methods:</strong> 36 community pharmacies in 4 districts of Belize were assessed for non-prescription sales of antibiotics using a simulated client method (SCM) approach from September to November 2019. <br><strong>Results:</strong> The majority (19; 52.8%) of the community pharmacies assessed refused to sell antibiotics without a prescription from a physician. Approximately 17 (47.2%) sold and dispensed antibiotics to simulated clients (SCs) without a prescription. Adequate patient counseling was provided by the pharmacists to the SCs. <br><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Some level of lack of compliance with the sales of antibiotics without prescription was observed among community pharmacists in this study. There is a need to reinforce stricter control on the sales and dispensing of antibiotics without prescription in the country of Belize.</p> ER -