Use of antibiotics without a prescription in a flea market population

Ramin S. Poursani, M.D.; John M. Tovar, Pharm.D.; and Oralia V. Bazaldua, Pharm.D. University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, The University of Incarnate Word, Feik School of Pharmacy

Background

Antibiotics bought in Mexico have been found in Texas flea markets and ethnic stores. The percentage of individuals using these antibiotics without a prescription is unknown, but this practice likely contributes to the alarming rates of antibiotic resistance. Evaluating the extent of this practice will assist in promoting educational efforts to address safe antibiotic use.

Objective

To determine the percent of adults who obtain antibiotics without a prescription at flea markets in South Texas.

Methods

• Study design: cross-sectional survey
• Subjects and setting: 150 individuals 18 years of age or older who visit flea markets in the South Texas area
• Intervention: after completion of survey, individuals received an educational pamphlet about safe antibiotic use

Results

• 37 percent of respondents report using antibiotics without a prescription. (70 percent did not inform their physician)
• 12 percent get their antibiotics from a flea market.

Conclusions

• Prescription medications are available and sold in U.S. flea markets.
• 1 of 4 respondents uses medications brought from Mexico.
• 37 percent of those who used antibiotics used them without prescriptions.
• More than half believe they are qualified to determine an antibiotic need.
• Education is needed to discourage antibiotic use without medical supervision.
• This adds to the body of evidence required for this problem to be addressed at the policy level or at the national security level.
• Additional research is necessary to devise educational strategies that will minimize antibiotic resistance.

REFERENCES

1. Corbett K. K., Gonzales R., Leeman-Castillo B. A., Flores E., Maselli J., Kafadar K. Appropriate antimicrobial use: variation in knowledge and awareness by Hispanic ethnicity and language. Prev Med. 2005 Feb;40(2):162-9.
2. Pew Research Center Project. Hispanics: A People in Motion. Pew Hispanic Center. Available at: URL: http://pewhispanic.org/files/reports/40.pdf.
3. Visiting la Farmacia - Bordering the Future. Window on State Government. Susan Combs Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Available at: URL: http://www.window.state.tx.us/border/ch08/farmacia.html.
4. Sherry, F. A. Sociocultural Analysis of a Midwestern American Flea Market. Journal of Consumer Research 1990 Jun;17:13-30.