Doctors in Herefordshire prescribe fewer antibiotics than anywhere else in the West Midlands as this helps stem the spread of 'super bugs' that have developed immunity to treatment.
To mark the first-ever European Antibiotic Awareness Day on 18 November, Herefordshire Primary Care Trust - the leader for the NHS in the county - will embark on a big push to further raise antibiotic awareness. Posters will be displayed in GP practices, community pharmacies, post offices, supermarkets and other public places.
A report to the Herefordshire Primary Care Trust board showed that the county's GPs are less likely to hand out antibiotics for common colds and coughs than anywhere else in the region, but more needs to be done to ensure patients understand the reasons why.
Nationally, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) reported that some 38 million prescriptions for antibiotics were written by doctors last year, costing the NHS £175 million. Antibiotics like Penicillin, which has been around since 1942, or newer ones like Ciprofloxacin, kill bacteria or prevent their growth or reproduction. They are extremely useful and can be lifesaving when used appropriately, but the drugs do little to help relieve most coughs and colds. This is because they are caused by viruses - not bacteria - and do not respond to antibiotics.
Through natural selection, bacteria can evolve to become
resistant to treatment. So to slow down or stop the development of
resistant strains of bacteria, GPs are asked to avoid unnecessary
use of antibiotics. MRSA (or Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus
Aureus) is one well-known example of what can happen as a result of
the development of resistance.
"Figures show that a quarter of people will visit their GP every
year suffering from respiratory tract infections and this accounts
for most antibiotic prescribing", said Dr Akeem Ali, joint director
of public health for Herefordshire Primary Care Trust and
Herefordshire Council.
"GPs need your help in reducing the use of antibiotics. Patients should not expect antibiotic for colds and flu. It is everyone's responsibility to keep antibiotics effective both for ourselves and for future", he added.