October 30, 2013
As flu season sets in, patients are likely to seek out antibiotic prescriptions from their doctors despite the fact that these treatments are ineffective for viral infections. With free or heavily discounted antibiotics available from supermarkets and pharmacies nationwide, many people feel they have nothing to lose by asking for a prescription. But while the medication might be free, unnecessary antibiotic use comes at a cost.
A new study published last week in the journal Health Economics shows how free-antibiotic programs are contributing to the pressing problem of antibiotic resistance. Funded in part by the Extending the Cure initiative and co-authored by CDDEP Director Ramanan Laxminarayan, the study focused on the effects of the first free-antibiotic program in the U.S., which was started by the Meijer supermarket chain in 2006. The research found that:
- Across four states, overall antibiotic prescriptions were nearly 5% higher in zip codes with the program in place
- Effects of the program were particularly strong in low-income areas, which showed a 12% rise in prescriptions written for antibiotics
- Contrary to previous research, physicians appear to be sensitive to their patients financial constraints when writing prescriptions.
While free-antibiotics programs were conceived as a way to help families cover their medical bills, the resulting rise in antibiotic prescriptions has raised concerns in the medical community about the potential for such programs to promote the overprescription and overconsumption of antibiotics. Indeed, the CDC and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) in 2009 wrote to supermarkets and pharmacies with such programs in place to voice their concerns about free-antibiotics initiatives.
With 2 million people each year suffering from antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections in the United States alone, the responsible use of antimicrobials is a major public health concern. The new study brings to light the dangers of free-antibiotics programs and opens the door to further research into the correlation between these programs and antibiotic resistance.
To receive a copy of the study or to contact Ramanan Laxminarayan, please email [email protected].
Image via sean dreilinger/Flickr
