Use Antibiotics Correctly UK Launches National Campaign

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Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: Pharmacy / Pharmacist;  Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses;  Flu / Cold / SARS
Article Date: 05 Feb 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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The UK government has launched a campaign to remind doctors and the public about the correct use of antibiotics. Doctors should make it clear to patients that antibiotics don't get rid of the common cold, said the announcement from the Department of Health yesterday, Monday 4th February.

The last national education campaign to discourage over-use of antibiotics was nearly ten years ago in 1999, and resistance to antibiotics is still on the increase. A new campaign is necessary to reduce inappropriate use of the drugs and preserve what efficacy still remains, said the announcement.

Antibiotics are effective against bacteria, and don't work against common viruses like colds, sore throats and most coughs. Unnecessary use of antibiotics for viral illnesses helps bacteria to become more resistant to them. The more they are used inappropriately, the stronger the resistance becomes and the less effective antibiotics become at treating infections.

Chief Medical Officer, Liam Donaldson said:

"Antibiotic resistance is becoming more common and in recent years fewer new antibiotics have been discovered. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections but all colds and most coughs and sore throats are caused by viruses so cannot be cured with antibiotics."

"The more we take antibiotics when they are not necessary, the more bacteria will become resistant to them. We must all play a part in conserving antibiotics as a valuable clinical resource. Patients can take other remedies to help relieve the symptoms of a cough or cold. Their pharmacist is well placed to give them advice," he explained.

Adverts will be appearing in national newspapers and magazines and GP surgeries and pharmacies will also be displaying posters and leaflets.

The problem arises because patients sometimes go to their doctor with a cold or sore throat and ask for antibiotics "just in case". It is compounded when patients don't finish the complete dose, interrupt it or reduce it, when their symptoms subside. This is more likely to develop antibiotic resistance.

Patients should not deviate from the dose prescribed by their doctor and they should continue to take it until it is completed.

Patients should see their doctor if:

• A cough lasts more than 3 weeks.
• They start having shortness of breath or chest pains.
• They already have a chest complaint.
• They are worried about their symptoms.

In the 2006-2007 the National Health Service spent nearly 176 million pounds on community-prescribed antibiotics (excluding hospital use).

Click here for copies of Department of Health posters and leaflets about correct use of antibiotics.

Source: GNN government network news.

Written by: Catharine Paddock, PhD
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today