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The article points out an obvious reason: you don’t need an rx in all kinds of poor countries (and the cost is next to nothing.) Don’t feel well? Just have more antibiotics! This is a thing and it can’t be prevented in this world.
Poor countries like the USA? US MDs hand out antibiotics for viral infections like candy, and farming dumps 76,000-100,000 tons a year into the environment.
The article does not discuss anti-viral medications. It discusses antibacterial meds.
In the US you still need to go to a doctor which prevents many, many people from simply getting antibiotics. Not all, but most. I can’t just get up and get a prescription today without ponying up for a doctor’s appointment which will not be entirely covered by my $15000/year insurance and i’ll still end up having to shell out ~$200 just for the appointment, so I won’t go even though I can afford to miss the money.
In places like the Dominican Republic you can get a pack or ten of whatever antibiotics you want for a handful of pesos. They have poor water treatment so infections from untreated water are commonplace and as a traveler you are told not to drink the water.