Assessment of antimicrobial resistance risks due to physician and patient practices: An observational study

A study assessing risk factors for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) found that 40.49% of antibiotic prescriptions had no indication and 23.93% involved drug-drug interactions. The risk of AMR due to inappropriate prescribing was 47.75%, which decreased to 28.83% following pharmacist intervention. In the patient-focused study, 19.52% of patients were non-adherent to prescribed antibiotics, contributing to an equivalent risk of AMR. Most patients (97.5%) lacked knowledge about AMR. The study emphasizes the need for improved antibiotic stewardship, patient education, and adherence to treatment guidelines to mitigate AMR risk. Locally developed guidelines and shorter antibiotic courses may also help address this growing concern.