Antibiotic prescription practice at veterinary pharmaceutical shops and its potential impact on the development of antimicrobial resistance in Moshi, Northern Tanzania

Aim: We aimed to investigate antibiotic prescription practice in veterinary shops and its potential impact on the development of antimicrobial resistance. Methods: A correlation cross-sectional study was carried out in Moshi, Tanzania. A convenient sampling method was used to enroll 80 study participants and 80 Veterinary pharmaceutical shops selling antibiotics for cattle. The study questionnaire was administered to both pharmaceutical sellers and cattle keepers Results: A total of 80 veterinary pharmaceutical shops visited to deliver information about antibiotics sold with or without prescription from veterinary professionals and eighty (80) human participants. Most of the study participant 66/80 (82.5%) responded to started treatment before laboratory diagnosis and diagnosis was mainly based on symptoms and signs 58/80 (72.5%); owners description 17/80 (21.3%) and less frequently on none specific reason 15/80 (6.5%) (Χ2=77.89, P= 0.000, OR=0.875, 95% CI= 0.803-0.947). Tetracycline 30 (100%), Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 10 (100%), and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 7 (100%) were highly sold unprescribed drugs and no quantity of these drugs was prescribed before selling at Veterinary pharmaceutical shops. Conclusion: The regulation of Veterinary antibiotic prescription at veterinary pharmaceutical shops has to be a point of discussion and paid greater attention to ensure a sustainable control and reduction of transmission and spread of drug-resistant bacteria in humans and cattle. Keywords: antibiotic prescription practice, antimicrobial resistance, Veterinary pharmaceutical shops