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Table 1 Actions and advice from pharmacies in the upper respiratory tract infection and acute gastro-enteritis simulations

From: Pharmacy-based dispensing of antimicrobial agents without prescription in India: appropriateness and cost burden in the private sector

Type of action and advice

Proportion of pharmacies in each simulated condition

Upper respiratory tract infection in adult

Acute gastro-enteritis in child

n = 115 (%)

n = 146 (%)

Dispensation of antibiotics without prescription

82 (71.3)

92 (63.0)

Queries regarding drug allergies

Nil

Nil

Instruction on dose of dispensed antibiotic(s)

79 (96.3)

22 (23.9)

Instruction on duration of dispensed antibiotic(s)

75 (91.5)

14 (15.2)

Instruction on side effects of dispensed antibiotic(s)

Nil

Nil

Need for prescription (cited by non-dispensing pharmacies)

3/33 (9.1)

13/54 (24.1)

Instruction on need to visit doctor

25 (21.7)

49 (33.6)

Non-pharmacological advice

Steam inhalation: 21 (18.3)

ORS and/or zinc: 18 (12.3)

  1. ORS: Oral rehydration solution