The pressure to prescribe also exists in community pharmacy. In Scotland the minor ailments scheme, which is available to children registered to a GP practice, provides the opportunity for community pharmacies to supply antibiotic eye drops directly to parents at no cost to them. A patient group direction for chloramphenicol eye drops also allows this supply outwith the product licensing for the over-the-counter version of chloramphenicol eye drops; allowing the supply of generic chloramphenicol eye drops to infants.
While locuming on Saturdays I have often supplied chloramphenicol eye drops to parents because of nursery policies that allow infants to attend nursery if they are being ‘treated’.1 I do this knowing that the underlying cause of the infection is likely to be viral, which I feel uneasy about as it goes against my pledge to good antibiotic stewardship.
- © British Journal of General Practice 2016
REFERENCE
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