RESUMO
A survey to determine how 45 antibiotics dispensed to children and adults had been acquired and used was concluded in 27 pharmacies in Concepcion, Chile, based on sales with prescriptions (3 729 cases) and without prescriptions (2 959 cases). The data were compiled from August to December 1982 and from August to December 1983 by students who had completed their training at Conception University, School of Pharmacy, using a form on which they entered the age of the patient, the name of the antibiotic requested, the dosage form, the quantity dispensed, and the indications for its use. Average treatments observed were compared to reference standard treatments expressed as defined daily doses (DDD) for the prevalent pathologies. It was found that the main users were adults (68.3 per cent) most of whom presented no prescription (50.4 per cent); antibiotics were dispensed to children in most cases (69.2 per cent) under médical prescription. There was greater consumption of oral antibiotics (84.6. ) than of those for parenteral (11.8 per cent) or vaginal (3.5 per cent) administration. Compared with the standard treatment regimen (7 x DDD), treatments were generally found to be insufficient, particularly among adults who obtained oral antibiotics without a prescription. Respiratory infections were treated with antibiotics in more cases than any other disease