Behind the Counter: Unpacking Antibiotic Use in an Indian District
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ijapm.2026.42.02.03Keywords:
M gallisepticum, M synoviae, salpengitis, layers chickens, ELISAAbstract
Introduction: Animal husbandry has long been a fundamental skill supporting the agricultural economy in India, with an increasing concern over the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among dairy animals due to various factors. This issue has significantly impacted animal health within the sector and has also raised concerns about farming sustainability. Objective: The main objective of our study was to assess the level of awareness regarding antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance among Veterinary medical storekeepers. Additionally, we aimed to identify antibiotic usage and animal health practices that may contribute to the spread of AMR in the specific study area. Study design: The survey targeted veterinary medical storekeepers/ drug sellers situated in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, India. The study, conducted between November 2021 to March 2022, aimed to examine the veterinary antibiotics selling practices of medical storekeepers. The survey was administered online to medical storekeepers situated in the Jhunjhunu district, as no previous studies of a similar nature had been conducted in the area, making it a suitable choice for the study. Methods: A structured questionnaire comprising 20 questions. Regrettably, only 23 medical storekeepers consented to participate and share their experiences regarding the sale of veterinary drugs, including veterinary antibiotics. The data was collected and analyzed statistically using SPSS. Results: The responses revealed that medical storekeepers are lagging in knowledge and behavioral aspects, 26% of the individuals have not received the minimum essential qualification to be a registered Veterinary pharmacist and still they are dispensing antibiotics. Around 70% of antibiotics drugs they sell are based on the customer's preference, and among the sale of antibiotics, the Watch category drugs are mostly preferred by the prescribers. Conclusion: As a consequence of these results, we conclude that to tackle AMR, it is necessary for there to be educational training, awareness campaigns, encouragement of antibiotic stewardship programs in remote areas, and motivation for veterinary pharmacists to practice all that is in the AMR guidelines.
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