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Social and economic factors, including financial incentives, education, social networks, and the weak enforcement of antibiotic regulations, all contribute to the supply and demand of OTC antibiotics, according to a study published in Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy.1
“Unlike in some countries where antibiotics can be purchased without a prescription, the FDA requires that antibiotics be prescribed by a licensed health care provider,” according to TotalCare Health Services.2 “This strict regulation is in place to prevent misuse, which can contribute to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria—one of the most pressing…