The problems of over prescribing antibiotics

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A study shows that where antibiotic use is highest, so too is the problem of antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotics are valuable weapons against infection - but, sooner or later, microbes 'get used' to them and develop resistance. Then the weapon becomes useless. A major factor in the development of antibiotic resistance is over-prescribing.

Doctors at the University of Antwerp, Belgium, now report on wide variations in antibiotic use within Europe which are reflected in differing patterns of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics are used far more in southern regions. Northern European countries have the lowest usage and in the eastern countries, usage is moderate. Where antibiotics are prescribed most, the problem of resistance is greater. There has also been a big shift towards prescribing newer antibiotics. Efforts should be made to stop over-prescribing of antibiotics, or else these valuable drugs will not work when we really need them.

Source
The Lancet 12th February 2005