Self-medication with Antimicrobial Drugs in Europe

TLDR

The study surveyed adults in 19 European countries to compare prevalence of antimicrobial self‑medication and identify associated demographic characteristics. A multistage sampling design randomly selected 1,000–3,000 adults per country. Self‑medication prevalence ranged from 1 to 210 per 1,000, higher in eastern and southern Europe, with throat symptoms as the main reason, pharmacies and leftover prescriptions as primary sources, and higher rates among younger, more educated, and chronically ill individuals, suggesting targeted interventions for prescribers, pharmacists, and the public.

Abstract

Abstract We surveyed the populations of 19 European countries to compare the prevalence of antimicrobial drug self-medication in the previous 12 months and intended self-medication and storage and to identify the associated demographic characteristics. By using a multistage sampling design, 1,000–3,000 adults in each country were randomly selected. The prevalence of actual self-medication varied from 1 to 210 per 1,000 and intended self-medication from 73 to 449 per 1,000; both rates were high in eastern and southern Europe and low in northern and western Europe. The most common reasons for self-medication were throat symptoms (e.g., dry, inflamed, red, or sore throat, inflamed tonsils, tonsil pain). The main medication sources were pharmacies and medication leftover from previous prescriptions. Younger age, higher education, and presence of a chronic disease were associated with higher rates of self-medication. Attempts to reduce inappropriate self-medication should target prescribers, pharmacists, and the general public.