[india-drug] Self Medication of Antibiotics In India (2)

["Dr Gurudas Khilnani" <drgurudas@rediffmail.com>]

Self Medication of Antibiotics In India (2)
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Dear Dr. Patvardhan, 

Self medication of antibiotic is quite common in our country. Antibiotics are being dispensed just as OTC cough and cold remedies are. This is because many of the poor patients avoid paying fees to the doctor and instead approach directly to the chemists, who accede to their request and even recommend few newer antibacterials enforcing a false belief that newer are always better. Fluoroquinolones, amoxicillin, Cefixime and cephadroxil are some of the antibacterial being dispensed without prescription and on demand. Unfortunately these antibacterials are used for a day or two only and this favors resistance.
Of particular attention is the fact that Sparfloxacin, Gatifloxacin, Levofloxacin and ofloxacin are being misused this way. These are the fluoroquinolones with valuable antituberculous activity if used judiciously. We already have very little options for MDR TB.

Dr Gurudas Khilnani
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