Impact of restriction of over-the-counter sales of antimicrobials on antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli from community-onset urinary tract infections in inner São Paulo State, Brazil.

Abstract

BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance in community-associated infections is an increasing worldwide concern. In low-to-middle income countries, over-the-counter (OTC) sales of antimicrobials without medical prescription have been blamed for increasing consumption and resistance. We studied the impact of restriction of OTC sales of antimicrobials in Brazil (instituted in October 2010) on resistance trends of Escherichia coli from community-onset urinary tract infections.MethodsWe analyzed monthly resistance trend of Escherichia coli from community-onset urinary tract infections from 2005 through 2018. The data were submitted to interrupted time series analysis in both linear and Poisson regression models.ResultsWe found impact on cefazolin (pConclusionAt the present study, we found that OTC sales restriction did not generally impact on antimicrobial resistance.