[Antibiotics in Spanish households. Medical and socioeconomic implications. URANO Study Group]

To determine the storage of antibiotics in Spanish households and to analyse its source.

Quantitative study carried out by telephone interview with housewives or head of the family members in 1,000 households that have been chosen at random and by agreement with a proportion of the territorial distribution of the Spanish population.

In 42% of households that have been approached, one (88.1%) or more antibiotic packets were present, being a result of a doctor's prescription in two thirds of cases. In most cases (71.9%) amoxycillin was the antibiotic found. Concerning the pharmaceutical forms, 55% corresponded to solid oral (pills, tablets, capsules), 45% liquid oral forms (syrups, suspensions, sachets), whereas parenteral vials were not identified. Only in the 19% of households with antibiotic packets (8% of the total) there was a member of the family under antibiotic treatment. The economic evaluation of the non administrated antibiotic doses, present in households was about 5,000 millions pesetas. Over 3,000 millions pesetas had been financed by Health Public Administration.

The storage of antibiotics in households is an important factor which increments the cost, reduces the efficiency and decreases the quality of the antibiotic treatment at the community level.