Self-medication and self-prescription with antibiotics in the Middle East—do they really happen? A systematic review of the prevalence, possible reasons, and outcomes

Highlights • The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics is high in the countries of the Middle East and is frequently associated with inappropriate drug use. • If no action is taken to prevent antibiotic misuse, this may lead to the development of resistance and result in wasted resources. • Strong regulatory enforcement and community awareness campaigns may be required to limit self-medication with antibiotics.