Irrational Antibiotic Use and Distribution in the Thai Community: a Complex Situation in Need of Integrative Solution

Abstract

Irrational use of antibiotics is a complex problem. The root of the problem is not only identified in hospitals, but it is also found in many sectors of the community. At the system level, people conveniently have access to medicines through a variety of sources, including hospitals, pharmacies, and grocery stores. At the individual level, people lack of knowledge and misunderstand about antibiotics; and they are unaware of the consequences of irrational antibiotic use. Additionally, antibiotics are used irrationally in livestock and agriculture. Consequently, people and society are at risk of antimicrobial resistance. Formerly, the interventions for rational drug use have been mainly focused on operations in public health facilities. However, due to the complexity mentioned above, solutions cannot be carried out solely in the hospitals. Integrated interventions for all sectors in society are needed – including empowering people to have better health and drug literacy, supporting collaborative work between all sectors in a community, and implementing laws and regulations to control improper access to medicines – together with extensive interventions in hospital settings