Widespread availability of antibiotics without prescription potentially facilitates overuse and contributes to selection pressure for antimicrobial resistant bacteria. Prior to this study, anecdotal observations in Guatemala identified corner stores as primary antibiotic dispensaries, where people purchase antibiotics without prescriptions. We carried out a cross sectional study to document the number and types of antibiotics available in corner stores, in four study areas in Guatemala. A total of 443 corner stores were surveyed, of which 295 (67%) sold antibiotics. The most commonly available antibiotics were amoxicillin, found in 246/295 (83%) stores, and tetracycline, found in 195/295 (66%) stores. Over the counter sales result from laissez-faire enforcement of antibiotic dispensing regulations in Guatemala combined with patient demand. This study serves as a baseline to document changes in the availability of antibiotics in informal establishments in light of new pharmacy regulations for antibiotic dispensing, which were adopted after this study was completed.

没有处方就可以广泛使用抗生素，这可能会导致过度使用，并增加抗微生物细菌的选择压力。在进行这项研究之前，在危地马拉的轶事观察确定了边角商店是主要的抗生素药房，人们无需处方即可购买抗生素。我们进行了一项横断面研究，以记录危地马拉四个研究区域内角落商店中可用抗生素的数量和类型。总共对443家街角商店进行了调查，其中295家（67％）出售了抗生素。最常见的抗生素是在246/295（83％）商店中发现的阿莫西林和在195/295（66％）商店中发现的四环素。危地马拉对抗生素配药法规的放任执行与患者需求的结合产生了场外交易。