Interviews with 100 general practitioners across Tripoli city were carried out to establish
if physicians are involved in misuse of antibiotics. It was evident from the findings that there are
clear indications of misuse and abuse of antibiotics; this was manifested by the fact that nearly 80%
of the interviewed physicians prescribe broad spectrum antibiotics for minor bacterial infections.
Moreover, 68% of the interviewed physicians indicated that 50-80% of their prescriptions contain
antibiotics. For selecting particular antibiotics, only 22% of the interviewed physicians rely on
culture sensitivity data, 50% on symptoms and severity of the infection and 76% prescribe antibiotics
before receiving culture sensitivity data. In conclusion, physicians are partially blamed for irrational
(misuse and abuse) use of antibiotics in our society.