UNS — Faculty of Medical Science (FK) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta and other leading universities in Indonesia and worldwide were involved in the Protecting Indonesia from the Threat of Antibiotic Resistance (PINTAR) research project. The project was led by Kirby Institute from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Australia in collaboration with UNS, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University College London UK, and George Institute for Global Health di UNSW Sydney.
The community apothecary and private drugstores could reduce the health facilities’ burden amid the pandemic by providing accurate suggestions and drugs for the patients. Therefore, the government needs to increase community apothecary involvement in responding to the pandemic or outbreak by providing appropriate guidelines and facilities, such as adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).
The joint research analyzed the knowledge and practices of 4,716 pharmacists and dan Pharmaceutical Technicians (TTK) in 34 provinces in Indonesia, with one-third of respondents living on Java Island. The result of the online survey held from July to August 2020 was published in The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific. dr. Yusuf Ari Mashuri from FK UNS, as one of the researchers, argues that when pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have access to the proper guidelines and information, many of them want an active role in handling outbreaks.
“For example, by providing suggestions for consumers, distributing leaflets, and participating in surveillance activities. Suggestions from health experts are vital in responding to the misinformation regarding Covid-19 spreading on the social media,” dr. Yusuf Ari Mashuri stated.
The research revealed the vulnerability in health equipment distribution to prevent the infection, such as hand sanitizer and PPE, as challenges widely experienced by developing countries early in the pandemic.
Community Apothecary and Drug Store as Community’s First Destination in Acquiring Treatment
The community apothecary and drug stores play a vital role in serving the community and being the first place to find treatment, especially in the regions with limited healthcare services. Many studies were conducted in the public sector during the Covid-19 pandemic, but limited studies focus on community apothecary and drug stores. Prof. Tri Wibawa from UGM stated that the study showed the importance of community apothecary and drug stores in providing healthcare and fighting the pandemic challenges faced in Indonesia.
“Our findings have an essential contribution to the scientific community. Our survey is one of the largest surveys on pharmacists and TTK working in community apothecary and drug stores in Southeast Asia during the Covid-19 pandemic,” Prof. Tri Wibawa, this survey leader, explained.
Currently, pharmacists and TTK are demanded to take a more active role in outbreak surveillance, health education, drug research, vaccination, diagnostic testing, and supporting programs for medication. These roles are increasingly vital when clinical healthcare facilities are overwhelmed, especially in countries with limited healthcare resources.
Community Apothecary and Drug Stores in Preventing Antibiotic Resistance
The survey showed that many Covid-19 patients visited community apothecary and drug stores to obtain antibiotic, which could increase antimicrobial resistance because antibiotic is not effective medicine for viral infection. Less than a third of respondents mentioned that they had prescribed antibiotics to patients suspected of Covid-19. TTK reported that they prescribed antibiotics more often than the pharmacist. They have the authority and are trained to prescribe medicines and report sales of medicines prescribed by doctors, including antibiotics.
Currently, there are around 135,000 community apothecary and licensed drug stores in Indonesia. However, although Indonesian regulation prohibits the sale of antibiotics freely, antibiotic sales without prescription are common. The study found an increase in antibiotic use by the community during the pandemic.
Prof. Virginia Wiseman from Kirby Institute in the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who also led the survey, explained that antimicrobial resistance had become a significant threat to the community health.
“Therefore, a response that involves all healthcare systems is needed. Community apothecary and drug stores in several countries, especially Indonesia, are vital parts of the healthcare system that must be well integrated into the national pandemic response system. This is the time for countries like Indonesia to start integrating these components,” Prof. Virginia stated.
The Covid-19 survey is a part of PINTAR that aims to increase the wise use of antibiotics in the community and prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Humas UNS
Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti