Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42179901›Full record

ArticleJAC-antimicrobial resistance2026

Over-the-counter sales of high-priority antibiotics are common: results of a global survey.

Nkuchia M M'ikanatha, Xin Yin, Katia Iskander, Japhet Magambo, Catrin E Moore, Maarten van Dongen, Nicole Hackman

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JAC-antimicrobial resistance, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

7 authors.

Nkuchia M M'ikanathaCenter for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5631-184X
Xin YinGlobal AMR Response, Hamilton, NJ, USA.
Katia IskanderDepartment of Health and Social Work, School of Public Health, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon.
Japhet MagamboMeru University of Science and Technology, Meru, Kenya.
Catrin E MooreInstitute of Infection and Immunity, St George's School of Health and Medical Sciences, City St. George's, University of London, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8639-9846
Maarten van DongenAMR Insights, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Nicole HackmanPennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical public health threat exacerbated by the sales of antibiotics without prescriptions. Despite national action plans, data on global over-the-counter (OTC) availability remains limited. Methods: We surveyed members of the AMR Insights Ambassador Network across 37 countries using a web-based instrument. Data analysis was conducted by the survey programme and verified by two authors (X.Y. and N.M.M.). Results: Despite regulations, 65% of respondents reported antibiotics were available OTC in their countries. Pharmacies were the primary source (85.9%), followed by internet vendors (23.4%). Notably, carbapenems and glycopeptides were reported to be available without prescriptions by 36.7% and 26.7% of respondents, respectively. Conclusions: These findings highlight a significant gap between policy and practice. The availability of high-priority antimicrobials without prescriptions demands urgent regulatory enforcement and improved surveillance of both physical pharmacies and digital marketplaces.

Identifiers

PMID42179901
PMCPMC13197841

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.