DGPs in Redditch and Bromsgrove are doing an excellent job in reducing prescriptions for antibiotic, but they often come under pressure from patients to prescribe them.
Antibiotics play a vital role in preventing infections, so it’s important patients use them in the right way, ensuring they are only taken when needed to treat specific bacterial infections.
Antibiotics can’t help treat colds or flu.
In recent years antibiotics have been losing their effectiveness at an increasing rate.
The more we use them the greater the chance bacteria will become resistant to them and they no longer treat infections.
The ‘Keep Antibiotics Working’ campaign spreads the message that overuse of antibiotics is becoming a huge problem due to bacteria becoming resistant to them.
The campaign urges patients to take their doctor’s advice on antibiotic use.
To help prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, patients are encouraged to think about the medicines they are requesting and to remember the following advice:
– Antibiotics are important medicines and should only be taken when prescribed by a doctor or other health professional
– Complete the prescribed course, because not taking the full course encourages resistance
– Antibiotics can’t treat infections caused by viruses, such as common colds or flu
– Each antibiotic only works against specific types of bacteria, and health professionals are best placed to establish your needs
– Patients shouldn’t share their antibiotics with anyone else
– Resistant bacteria, for example C.diff can spread from person to person.
European Antibiotic Awareness Day is this on Sunday, November 18 to further highlight the key messages around antibiotic use and to encourage people to make a pledge and become an Antibiotic Guardian.
Find out more and to make your pledge visit https://antibiotic.ecdc.europa.eu/en
