NEW research out of the UK has revealed that in the UK alone, more than a million days' worth of antibiotics use for respiratory tract indications could be cut if antibiotic guidelines were followed correctly.
A large proportion of antibiotics given for common infections in primary care are prescribed for longer than guideline recommendations, the study demonstrated.
Data from The Health Improvement Network Database relating to 931,015 consultations, carried out between 2013 and 2015, that resulted in an antibiotic prescription for one of 13 common indications, including acute sore throat, cough, middle ear infection and bronchitis were investigated.
Antibiotic treatments for upper respiratory tract indications and acute cough and bronchitis accounted for more than two-thirds of the total prescriptions considered, while 80% or more of these treatment courses exceeded guideline recommendations.
In addition, more than half (54.6%) of the antibiotic prescriptions for acute cystitis among women were for longer than recommended.
Authors identified lack of awareness and scepticism as reasons for failure to adhere to guidelines - bmj.com.
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