Antibiotic prescribing for acute uncomplicated cystitis among community pharmacists in Thailand.

This study evaluated the knowledge of community pharmacists in upper southern Thailand regarding the diagnosis, referral, and guideline conformity of antibiotic use for acute uncomplicated cystitis. Surveying 349 pharmacists, the study found that while 98.3% could select appropriate antibiotics—primarily ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin—only 46.1% correctly diagnosed acute uncomplicated cystitis, with misconceptions notably higher among pharmacists over 40 years old and pharmacy owners. The findings highlight gaps in differential diagnosis between complicated and uncomplicated cystitis and suggest the need for continuous education and antimicrobial stewardship programs to promote rational antibiotic use in community pharmacies where antibiotics can be dispensed without prescriptions.