Title of the paper is good and precise, giving a good insight to the readers about the background of paper. Dispensing of antimicrobials as over the counter drug without prescription is one of the major causes of increasing the antimicrobial resistance in the community. Hence, the paper clearly fulfills the aims and scope of the journal (Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control).

Method used is good but it have a limitation as the author have specifically observed and collected the data for only in Upper respiratory tract infection and acute gastroenteritis in child and adults . So it can not comment on the various types of antimicrobials prescribed from a given pharmacy in a given period of time . References are good , written in correct format and all the major references are included .

The study clearly states its objectives of measuring the prevalence of non-prescription sales of antimicrobial agents by pharmacies in a metropolitan city in southern India and have successfully fulfilled its objectives in the paper.

Sample size was calculated based on previous surveys which might affect the external validity and reliability of the paper. Sampling was done randomly using computerised method. Institutional Ethical Committee approval was taken prior to start of the study. Per-defined validated algorithm was used to decrease bias while collecting data from pharmaceutical shops by researchers simulating the patients. Questionaire pdf was uploaded along with the research article. This paper will have a significant impact and will add on in the literature and further.

Comments on data and results

Data are presented clearly and in a structured manner using tables. Result outcomes support the research question of the paper .

Comments on discussion and conclusions

Key findings of the results are mentioned in the discussion section and is compared with similar studies done across the world. “A Greek study in 2001 showed that 71 % of pharmacies agreed to sell broad-spectrum antibiotics to patients with low-grade fever and rhinosinusitis [19]. Several other simulation studies conducted in Spain and Brazil have shown that antimicrobial agents could be easily obtained in spite of regulations prohibiting such practice [20, 21]. In Tanzania, oral antibiotics were given to 81 % and 95 % of those who presented with diarrhea and upper respiratory infection respectively [22]. Other Indian studies particularly indicate alarming prevalence of inappropriate antibiotic consumption [5, 23, 24]” There are very little data and studies regarding the prescription-less dispensing of antimicrobials from India. This paper brings the very serious concern into light that is paucity of data on the antimicrobial prescription pattern and no monitoring for the antimicrobials being prescribed over the counter from the medical shops . It also suggests for the future additional researches on this topic. This paper clearly states its limitations “ Our study did not distinguish whether the dispensing workforce in pharmacies were licensed and trained personnel. The study was also limited by the fact that simulated cases were presented to pharmacies, rather than actual case scenarios, although this procedure helped maintain uniformity in our data collection. Since the sample size was limited, and only pharmacies from one urban area in India were included, our study may be limited by non-inclusion of other practices in rural areas, where alternative systems of medicine may be more popular.”