earticle

영어

This study aimed to investigate the prescription of antibiotics in clinics, and evaluate their usage appropriateness after the 2000 Korean separation of dispensary from medical practice. A retrospective study was performed on the antibiotic use for 4 years from August 2000 to July 2004 in three clinics (general, internal medicine and ear-nose-and-throat (ENT) clinics). Moreover, prescription of antibiotics for acute upper respiratory infection (AURI), concomitant drugs, duplicate antibiotics and patient adherence were assessed for 260 patients experienced AURI in a pharmacy. The prescription rates of antibiotics amongst the whole prescription decreased annually during the study period, but those in ENT clinic still constituted more than 90%. The usage of penicillins declined, but that of broad spectrum antibiotics such as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and 1st/2nd generation cephalosporins increased. Moreover, the categories of antibiotics for the same indication were different among the clinics. For patients with AURI, the more antibiotics were prescribed as its missing days and days under its therapeutic dose increased. The drug interactions with concomitant drugs decreased annually, but the use of duplicate antibiotics was similar across the period. Potential inappropriate antibiotic use was common after the Korean policy, so the observation of pharmacists needs in addition to the patients and practitioners’ attention.