Over-the-counter drugs are too frequently dispensed at walk-in medical centers
In a recent study, urgent care clinics have been found to frequently overprescribe antibiotics, steroids, and opioids for a variety of reasons [1][4]. This overprescription can lead to serious public health consequences, including the development of antimicrobial resistance and drug-related harms.
The study, which included both adults and children, and was based on insurance claims from a large national database, revealed that about one in eight visits led to an antibiotic prescription [2]. In some cases, nearly half of the prescriptions for antibiotics didn't match up with any clear reason to use them [2]. This overuse of antibiotics can make bacteria and viruses harder to treat and increase the chances of drug-resistant strains spreading in the community.
Steroids were also found to be given out more often than needed, especially for conditions like coughs, sinus pressure, and chest congestion. Overuse of steroids can lead to side effects such as insomnia, mood changes, headaches, and increased blood pressure [1].
The overprescription of opioids was also a concern. Opioids were handed out for minor injuries, stomach discomfort, and general muscle pain in situations that usually don't call for them [1]. The country's opioid crisis has shown what can happen when these drugs are given out too freely, with many people becoming dependent and moving on to even stronger substances.
The key reasons for overprescribing include diagnostic uncertainty, high patient volume, patient pressure and expectations, time constraints, economic factors, and conflicts of interest or incentives in telehealth and urgent care business models [1][4].
Researchers suggest that urgent care clinicians would benefit from targeted stewardship programs involving prescription audits, clinician education on appropriate drug use, and better communication strategies to manage patient expectations without resorting to unnecessary prescribing [1]. Systemic changes that acknowledge the limits of medicine, focus on social prescribing, and foster cultural shifts in both doctors and patients are also advocated to reduce overprescribing [3].
The patterns suggest that urgent care clinics may need more tools to help with smart prescribing. Addressing this will require both clinical-level interventions and broader healthcare system reforms. The stakes are high, as the development of antimicrobial resistance could result in harder-to-treat infections and potentially millions of deaths globally in coming decades [4].
The urgent care clinics' overprescription of antibiotics for conditions lacking a clear reason [2] can contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance, making bacteria and viruses harder to treat. The overuse of steroids, especially for conditions like coughs, sinus pressure, and chest congestion, can lead to various health-and-wellness related side effects [1].
