Antibiotics, once hailed as miraculous weapons against bacterial infections, are now under threat from a dangerous adversary: over-the-counter sales. For some time now, some local pharmacies have been selling antibiotics without a prescription and this practice has become alarmingly common, driven by convenience and profit rather than concern for public health. This trend, however, poses significant risks that cannot be overstated.
It was welcoming news that the Health Ministry will be moving to shut down pharmacies and other medical outlets caught selling antibiotics without prescriptions as well as counterfeit drugs.
In his warning to persons involved in this dangerous practice, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, said that the Government will be embarking on stronger measures aimed at ensuring that the local pharmaceutical industry operates in line with international standards.
He warned “As we move to put stricter supervision in place, if you don’t change this type of behaviour then we might have to close you down and use the full force of the law…We have had cases in this country where we have seen patients who have developed resistance to many of the medications that we have and if we are going to continue this indiscriminate use of antibiotics, we are only going to accelerate the development of antimicrobial resistance.”
Antibiotics are not like other medications one might purchase at a pharmacy. They are powerful drugs designed to combat specific bacterial infections. Improper and indiscriminate use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, a health crisis that renders these drugs ineffective against infections that were once easily treatable. This resistance occurs when bacteria evolve and adapt to survive antibiotic treatments, making infections harder, if not impossible, to treat.
Therefore, the unrestricted availability of antibiotics encourages self-medication and undermines the role of healthcare professionals in diagnosing and prescribing treatments. We agree with the Health Minister said he admonished those practicing over-the-counter sales of this drugs without proper medical supervision, noting that individuals may take antibiotics unnecessarily, for viral infections like the common cold or flu, which antibiotics cannot cure. This misuse not only fails to treat the illness but also contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Selling antibiotics over the counter bypasses essential checks and balances that ensure patient safety. Research have shown that in countries where regulations are lax or enforcement is weak, the sale of antibiotics without prescription becomes a thriving business opportunity for pharmacies and drug vendors and perpetuating a cycle of misuse.
Addressing this issue requires concerted efforts on multiple fronts. Our health ministry with aid from the Legal Affairs Ministry must strengthen regulatory frameworks – Guyana’s Medicine Regulation Bill- and enforce laws that restrict the sale of antibiotics. Additionally, the Health Ministry must educate the public about the dangers of antibiotic misuse.
We support the ministry’s position in going after over-the-counter sale of this drug as the unrestricted sale of antibiotics is not just a convenience issue it is a public health crisis in the making.
It jeopardizes the effectiveness of one of modern medicine’s greatest achievements and threatens the ability to treat common infections. Swift and decisive action must be taken against the delinquent pharmacies to curb this dangerous practice and ensure that antibiotics remain effective tools in our fight against bacterial diseases.
Let us heed the warning signs now!
