Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37134062›Full record

ArticlePloS one2023

Perspectives of pharmacy employees on an inappropriate use of antimicrobials in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Nistha Shrestha, Sulochana Manandhar, Nhukesh Maharjan, Devina Twati, Sabina Dongol, Buddha Basnyat, Stephen Baker, Abhilasha Karkey

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Antimicrobial perceptions and stewardship practices among community pharmacy dispensers in Nepal.Antimicrobial stewardship & healthcare epidemiology : ASHE · 2025
    Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Nistha ShresthaOxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Sulochana ManandharOxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Nhukesh MaharjanOxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Devina TwatiOxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Sabina DongolOxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Buddha BasnyatOxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Stephen BakerCambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID) Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Abhilasha KarkeyOxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal.ORCID 0000-0002-5179-650X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundUnregulated antimicrobial use is common in both hospital and community settings of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, discrete data regarding the use/misuse of antimicrobials at pharmacies in LMICs are limited. This study was conducted to understand knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacy employees on antimicrobial dispensing in Nepal.

methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire on 801 pharmacy employees working in community and hospital pharmacies located in Lalitpur metropolitan city (LMC) of Kathmandu, Nepal between April 2017 and March 2019.

resultsA majority (92%) of respondents agreed that demand for non-prescription antimicrobials was common. Asking for prescription before dispensing was ranked as the first preference by majority (69%) of participants. Suspected respiratory tract infection was the most common reason demanding for non-prescription antimicrobials with the highest mean rank of 1.5. Azithromycin was the most commonly prescribed and sold antimicrobial, as reported by 46% and 48% of participants respectively. A majority (87%) of respondents agreed on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to be a global public health threat; and misuse/overuse of antimicrobials was perceived as the most common cause of AMR with a mean rank of 1.93.

conclusionOur study revealed that unfounded dispensing and use of antimicrobials is prevalent among pharmacies in Kathmandu, Nepal. This over reliance on antimicrobials, notably azithromycin, may escalate burden of AMR. We identified several drivers of inappropriate antimicrobial dispensing practice in pharmacies, which will aid public health authorities in addressing these issues. Further studies considering role of other stakeholders, such as doctors, veterinarians, general public, and policy makers are required to obtain a more holistic perspectives on practices of antimicrobial use so to curb the extant AMR crisis.

Indexed as

Anti-Infective AgentsCommunity Pharmacy ServicesPharmaciesPharmacyAnti-Bacterial AgentsAzithromycinCross-Sectional StudiesHumansNepalAnti-Bacterial AgentsAnti-Infective AgentsAzithromycin

Identifiers

PMID37134062
PMCPMC10156006

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.