Antimicrobials supplied in community pharmacies in eastern Europe and central Asia in the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

During the COVID-19 health crisis, community pharmacists had an enhanced role in supporting health-care systems that were overburdened by managing seriously ill patients. This study was undertaken to determine the patterns of community supply of antiviral and antibacterial agents from community pharmacies during the COVID-19 pandemic in selected countries in eastern Europe and central Asia. Nine countries – Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan – participated in this cross-sectional study. Country reports include the results of national and regional analyses conducted. The results of the crossnational analyses presented in this report supplement country reports and can be used to review issues around access to, and appropriate choices of, antibacterial agents for common presentations in community care