Lelekis M., Zelenitsas I., Economou E., Adamis G., Kosmidis J.
First Dept of Medicine, The General Hospital of Athens “G. Gennimatas”,
GREECE

The aim of the study was to record the way antibiotics are used in the community in order to see if there is a need for antibiotic policy. A total of 300 persons completed a questionnaire recording the use or not of antibiotics in the preceding month, the indication for any use, the person who suggested it, the way of getting the antibiotic and the name of the antibiotic.

Antibiotic use was recorded in 27% of the persons who answered (43% in the age over 70 years). The main indication was symptoms of the respiratory tract (33%) while for 27% the indication was the existence of fever only. The antibiotic was suggested by a doctor in 75% of cases, in 1/3 of which, however, without physical examination (mostly by telephone) and without prescription.

The antibiotics used were: penicillins (33%), quinolones (16%), 2nd generation cephalosporins (14%), macrolides (14%), 3rd gen cephalosporins (2%), other (7%), unknown (14%).

In conclusion: A great number of patients (~50%) uses antibiotics without prescription and many times without even consultation of a doctor. This must be corrected. Among new antibiotics there is considerable use of quinolones. There is a need for formulation of a policy for community antibiotic prescribing.