RT Journal Article
T1 Knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and habits towards antibiotics dispensed without medical prescription: a qualitative study of Spanish pharmacists
A1 Figueiras Guzmán, Adolfo
A1 González González, Cristian
A1 Zapata Cachafeiro, Maruxa
A1 López Vázquez, Paula María
A1 Taracido Trunk, Margarita
A1 López, Ana
A1 Vázquez Lago, Juan M.
AB Objective To investigate community pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and habits with regard to antibiotic dispensing without medical prescription in Spain. Methods A qualitative research using focus group method (FG) in Galicia (north-west Spain). FG sessions were conducted in the presence of a moderator. A topic script was developed to lead the discussions, which were audiorecorded to facilitate data interpretation and transcription. Proceedings were transcribed by an independent researcher and interpreted by two researchers working independently. We used the Grounded  Theory approach. Setting Community pharmacies in Galicia, region Norwest of Spain. Participants Thirty pharmacists agreed to participate in the study, and a total of five FG sessions were conducted with 2–11 pharmacists. We sought to ensure a high degree of heterogeneity in the composition of the groups to improve our study's external validity. Pharmacists’ participation had no gender or age restrictions, and an effort was made to form FGs with pharmacists who were both owners and non-owners, provided in all cases that they were Official Colleges of Pharmacists-registered community pharmacists. For the purpose of conducting FG discussions, the basic methodological principle of allowing groups to attain their ‘own structural identity’ was applied. Main outcome measurements Community pharmacists’ habits and knowledge with regard to antibiotics and identification of the attitudes and/or factors that influence antibiotic dispensing without medical prescription. Results Pharmacists attributed the problem of antibiotics dispensed without medical prescription and its relationship to antibiotic resistance to the following attitudes: external responsibility (doctors, dentists and the National Health Service (NHS)); acquiescence; indifference and lack of continuing education.Conclusions Despite being a problem, antibiotic dispensing without a medical prescription is still a common practice in community pharmacies in Galicia, Spain. This practice is attributed to acquiescence, indifference and lack of continuing education. The problem of resistance was ascribed to external responsibility, including that of patients, physicians, dentists and the NHS.
PB BMJ Publishing Group
SN 2044-6055
YR 2017
FD 2017
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10347/22921
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10347/22921
LA eng
NO Vazquez-Lago, J., Gonzalez-Gonzalez, C., Zapata-Cachafeiro, M., Lopez-Vazquez, P., Taracido, M., López, A., & Figueiras, A. (2017). Knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and habits towards antibiotics dispensed without medical prescription: a qualitative study of Spanish pharmacists. BMJ open, 7(10), e015674.
DS Minerva
RD 28 abr 2026