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.
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.