Community Pharmacists

Pharmacist explaining to a customer which over-the-counter medications may help relieve his symptoms.

Pharmacists play an integral role in promoting appropriate antibiotic use in the community by

Educating patients and parents about properly taking antibiotics and the potential harms of antibiotic use, including antibiotic resistance and adverse drug events
Serving as the final healthcare provider to see a patient before an antibiotic is dispensed
Providing guidance for symptom relief for common infections which do not require an antibiotic
Promoting available vaccines

Materials to Use with Your Patients

Help your patients understand the importance of appropriate antibiotic use, including adhering to antibiotic prescriptions, with materials developed by CDC.

Related Tools for Pharmacists

Continuing Education Web-based Course for Community Pharmacists
Podcast: Pharmacists Can Make the Difference (2:21 minutes)
Print Materials for Healthcare Professionals
Videos for Healthcare Professionals

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Page last reviewed: April 17, 2015

Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP)