The Government has launched a campaign to make both doctors and patients aware of the over-use of antibiotics.

A national campaign has been launched by the UK Government in an effort to reduce the amount of antibiotics that people unnecessarily take for the common cold.

According to the government, antibiotic resistance is increasing, despite efforts by doctors to conserve the number of drug prescriptions. Patients can become resistant to drugs when bacteria ‘learn’ to survive the effects of the antibiotic, leaving the drug less effective – which can happen particularly if antibiotics are not taken regularly when prescribed or taken in too low a dose.

Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer, commented: “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.”

Around £175 million was spent on prescribing antibiotics last year, excluding any drugs prescribed in hospitals. Although the Government is keen to reduce this amount of spending, it has stressed that anyone taking prescribed antibiotics should continue and that people should not be deterred from seeing their doctor if they are concerned.

For more information, visit www.dh.gov.uk.