Objective. To identify challenges that may raise pathogens’ resistance to antimicrobial drugs by exploring the
private market for antimicrobials in two selected mining and frontier areas of Guyana.
Methods. The private sector supply was mapped by approaching all authorized pharmacies and informal
outlets, e.g., street vendors and grocery stores, around the two selected towns. Interviews were conducted
with a) sellers on the availability of drugs, expiration dates, prices, and main producers; and b) customers on
purchased drugs, diagnoses, and prescriptions received before purchasing drugs, and intention to complete
the treatment. The information collected was described, and the determinants of the self-reported intention of
customers to complete the whole treatment were identified.
Results. From the perspective of the supply of antimicrobials, essential medicines faced low and insecure
availability, and prescriptions frequently deviated from diagnoses. From the perspective of the demand for
antimicrobials, one-third of purchased antibiotics had a high potential for antimicrobial resistance as per the
World Health Organization AWaRe classification. A high price reduced the self-reported intention to complete
the treatment among those who had a prescription, while buying the medication in a licensed pharmacy
increased such intention.
Conclusions. In Guyana, there persists a need to establish and revise policies addressing both supply and
demand, such as restricting the sale of antimicrobials to licensed pharmacies and upon prescription, improving prescription practices while reducing the financial burden to patients, guaranteeing access to first-line
treatment drugs, and instructing patients on appropriate use of antimicrobials. Revising such policies is an
essential step to contain antimicrobial resistance in the analyzed areas and across Guyana.