[Community antibiotic consumption in Chile, 2000-2008]

The Chilean Ministry of Health has implemented regulatory rules for the consumption of anti-biotics since September 1999, with sales restriction limited only with medical prescription.

To analyze the impact of established regulatory measures from 2000 to 2008.

A retrospective analysis of antibiotics sales in pharmacies from 2000 to 2008 was performed. The information was obtained from the International Marketing System (IMS Health), an auditing system of pharmacy sales. The consumption unit used was the Defined Daily Dose per 1000 inhabitants/day (DDD).

From 2000 to 2002 the regulatory rules had a great impact, but since 2002 the antibiotic consumption increased, especially amoxicillin, returning to similar levéis observed in 1998.

The regulatory measures had an initial impact, but there was not reinforcement in the time and there was no further control. It is necessary to assume a permanent task and support of the authorities of health to edúcate the population about the implications of the inadequate use of antimicrobials and his effect on the microbial ecology.