The present study aims to bridge this gap and determine
whether antibiotic policies are truly effective in LMIC. Computerized data on medicine use has not been widely available in many
of these countries. It has been however available since 2002 in the
institution where the analysis was conducted. This has facilitated
assessment of antibiotic use trends and patterns over the last
decade through this study. The institution has taken a leading role
in India for development and dissemination of antibiotic
guidelines. This study has therefore seized this opportunity to
assess the impact of these guidelines and its role in containing
antibiotic use in hospital inpatients over this ten year period. In
addition, our study aims to compare different modes of guideline
implementation and dissemination and see which mode is most
effective in containment. This would be important in instituting
effective and sustainable antibiotic policies, especially in LMIC
where there are numerous challenges. These aspects of our study
are unique and the findings could be crucial to health policy
makers and hospital managements.