Authors : Abeywickrama S. N.; Tharshanan K.; Perera D. L. G.

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 9 - September

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/4kfeeprr

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26sep168

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Abstract : Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a leading global health threat, and rational antimicrobial use at the primary and secondary healthcare level is central to Sri Lanka's National Action Plan for combating AMR. Facility-level data describing how antimicrobials are actually used, benchmarked against the World Health Organization (WHO) Access, Watch, Reserve (AWaRe) classification, remain scarce for secondary-care hospitals in Sri Lanka.  Objectives: To describe the monthly pattern of antimicrobial dispensing at the outpatient department (OPD) of Base Hospital Karawanella during 2025 and to classify consumption according to the WHO AWaRe framework.  Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive drug utilisation study using the OPD pharmacy's “countable drugs” dispensing register for January-December 2025 (14 antimicrobial agents in 26 formulations). Each antimicrobial was classified by WHO AWaRe category and by pharmacological class and route of administration. Descriptive statistics summarised total and monthly dispensing volume, proportional AWaRe distribution, and the ranking of agents by volume.

Keywords : Antimicrobial Resistance; AWaRe Classification; Antimicrobial Utilisation; Drug Utilisation Review; Antimicrobial Stewardship; Sri Lanka; Outpatient Prescribing.

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