Assessment of the Bangladeshi antibiotic market: Implications of the WHO AWaRe classification and dosage form availability on antimicrobial resistance

Background: Availability of antibiotics without prescription contributes to the rising threat of antibiotic resistance due to widespread self-medication and improper use. In this study, we aimed to assess the antibiotic market in Bangladesh according to the WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) classif...

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Main Authors: Joya Rani, Sudipta Saha, Fahmi Ferdous, Md. Ajijur Rahman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Infection and Public Health
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034124003216
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author Joya Rani
Sudipta Saha
Fahmi Ferdous
Md. Ajijur Rahman
author_facet Joya Rani
Sudipta Saha
Fahmi Ferdous
Md. Ajijur Rahman
author_sort Joya Rani
collection DOAJ
description Background: Availability of antibiotics without prescription contributes to the rising threat of antibiotic resistance due to widespread self-medication and improper use. In this study, we aimed to assess the antibiotic market in Bangladesh according to the WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) classification system to better understand how the unregulated access of antibiotics may influence self-medication practices and the emergence of antibiotic resistance in the country. Methods: Data on AWaRe class antibiotics, their strengths, and dosage forms were collected from Bangladeshi drug indexing smartphone applications, the Bangladesh National Formulary (BDNF), and the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) website. Sales data were analyzed using IQVIA data to determine the market value and compound annual growth rates (CAGR) of antibiotics. The analysis focused on categorizing antibiotics according to the WHO AWaRe classification and examining their availability in various dosage forms and strengths including child-appropriate formulations. Results: Of the 81 antibiotics available in Bangladesh, 54.32 % belong to the Watch class, 30.86 % to Access, 8.64 % to Reserve, and 6.17 % were unclassified. In terms of ATC classifcation, the majority (91.35 %) belonged to the J01 class. Most antibiotics were available in multiple dosage forms and strengths, with tablets (54.87 %), injections (48.78 %), and capsules (30.48 %) being the most common. Additionally, 35.8 % of antibiotics were available as child-appropriate formulations. Oral formulations were prevalent, with 88.0 % of Access, 75.0 % of Watch, and 28.57 % of Reserve class antibiotics were available in oral dosage forms. A total of 56 antibiotic combinations were identified, including six WHO-recommended and two WHO-not-recommneded fixed-dose combinations. Watch class antibiotics dominated the market in terms of sales value and CAGR. Conclusion: The widespread availability of Watch class antibiotics, particularly in oral and child-appropriate formulations suggest a need for stricter regulation and public health interventions to curb self-medication, inappropriate marketing and use of antibiotics to mitigate the risks of resistance.
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spelling doaj-art-bb6f1a683a2349adbc587fb4628255402025-08-20T01:52:42ZengElsevierJournal of Infection and Public Health1876-03412024-12-01171210258710.1016/j.jiph.2024.102587Assessment of the Bangladeshi antibiotic market: Implications of the WHO AWaRe classification and dosage form availability on antimicrobial resistanceJoya Rani0Sudipta Saha1Fahmi Ferdous2Md. Ajijur Rahman3Department of Pharmacy, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, BangladeshDepartment of Pharmacy, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, BangladeshInstitute of Biological Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, BangladeshDepartment of Pharmacy, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh; Corresponding author.Background: Availability of antibiotics without prescription contributes to the rising threat of antibiotic resistance due to widespread self-medication and improper use. In this study, we aimed to assess the antibiotic market in Bangladesh according to the WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) classification system to better understand how the unregulated access of antibiotics may influence self-medication practices and the emergence of antibiotic resistance in the country. Methods: Data on AWaRe class antibiotics, their strengths, and dosage forms were collected from Bangladeshi drug indexing smartphone applications, the Bangladesh National Formulary (BDNF), and the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) website. Sales data were analyzed using IQVIA data to determine the market value and compound annual growth rates (CAGR) of antibiotics. The analysis focused on categorizing antibiotics according to the WHO AWaRe classification and examining their availability in various dosage forms and strengths including child-appropriate formulations. Results: Of the 81 antibiotics available in Bangladesh, 54.32 % belong to the Watch class, 30.86 % to Access, 8.64 % to Reserve, and 6.17 % were unclassified. In terms of ATC classifcation, the majority (91.35 %) belonged to the J01 class. Most antibiotics were available in multiple dosage forms and strengths, with tablets (54.87 %), injections (48.78 %), and capsules (30.48 %) being the most common. Additionally, 35.8 % of antibiotics were available as child-appropriate formulations. Oral formulations were prevalent, with 88.0 % of Access, 75.0 % of Watch, and 28.57 % of Reserve class antibiotics were available in oral dosage forms. A total of 56 antibiotic combinations were identified, including six WHO-recommended and two WHO-not-recommneded fixed-dose combinations. Watch class antibiotics dominated the market in terms of sales value and CAGR. Conclusion: The widespread availability of Watch class antibiotics, particularly in oral and child-appropriate formulations suggest a need for stricter regulation and public health interventions to curb self-medication, inappropriate marketing and use of antibiotics to mitigate the risks of resistance.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034124003216WHO AWaRe classificationAntibiotic market in BangladeshAntibiotic resistanceAntibiotic misuseAMR
spellingShingle Joya Rani
Sudipta Saha
Fahmi Ferdous
Md. Ajijur Rahman
Assessment of the Bangladeshi antibiotic market: Implications of the WHO AWaRe classification and dosage form availability on antimicrobial resistance
Journal of Infection and Public Health
WHO AWaRe classification
Antibiotic market in Bangladesh
Antibiotic resistance
Antibiotic misuse
AMR
title Assessment of the Bangladeshi antibiotic market: Implications of the WHO AWaRe classification and dosage form availability on antimicrobial resistance
title_full Assessment of the Bangladeshi antibiotic market: Implications of the WHO AWaRe classification and dosage form availability on antimicrobial resistance
title_fullStr Assessment of the Bangladeshi antibiotic market: Implications of the WHO AWaRe classification and dosage form availability on antimicrobial resistance
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of the Bangladeshi antibiotic market: Implications of the WHO AWaRe classification and dosage form availability on antimicrobial resistance
title_short Assessment of the Bangladeshi antibiotic market: Implications of the WHO AWaRe classification and dosage form availability on antimicrobial resistance
title_sort assessment of the bangladeshi antibiotic market implications of the who aware classification and dosage form availability on antimicrobial resistance
topic WHO AWaRe classification
Antibiotic market in Bangladesh
Antibiotic resistance
Antibiotic misuse
AMR
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034124003216
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AT fahmiferdous assessmentofthebangladeshiantibioticmarketimplicationsofthewhoawareclassificationanddosageformavailabilityonantimicrobialresistance
AT mdajijurrahman assessmentofthebangladeshiantibioticmarketimplicationsofthewhoawareclassificationanddosageformavailabilityonantimicrobialresistance