Use antibiotics well

Our pharmacists in Ruddington, Cotmanhay and Kirk Gate, Newark  branches have started to treat people with eye, ear, nose and throat infections. So in this post we are thinking about using antibiotics and treating infections well. This is because we all need to play our role to ensure that antibiotics carry on working effectively. This post tells you more about the Antibiotic Guardians campaign and what you can do to reduce antibiotic resistance.

What are antibiotic Guardians?

Antibiotic Guardians is a UK-wide campaign. It aims to improve behaviours around antibiotic prescribing and use, by increasing knowledge about antibiotic use.

The campaign, which takes a One Health approach, calls on everyone in the UK (the public, animal and human healthcare communities) to become Antibiotic Guardians by choosing one simple pledge about how they will make better use of these vital medicines.

Why are Antibiotic Guardians necessary?

Antibiotics are essential medicines for treating bacterial infections in both humans and animals. However, antibiotics are losing their effectiveness at an increasing rate. Bacteria can adapt and find ways to survive the effects of an antibiotic. They become ‘antibiotic resistant’ so that the antibiotic no longer works. The more you use an antibiotic, the more bacteria become resistant to it.

There are very few new antibiotics in the development pipeline. This is why it is important we use our existing antibiotics wisely and make sure these life-saving medicines continue to stay effective. If we continue as we are then there is estimated to be 10 million deaths globally by 2050.

Become an antibiotic guardian

There is much that you can do to help to reduce antibiotic resistance. You can become an antibiotic guardian. Go to www.antibioticguardian.com There are pledges for adults and families and resources for children or you can choose to write your own pledge. So sign up and join in!

What else can you do?

Many antibiotics are prescribed and used for mild infections when they don’t need to be. All colds and most coughs, sinusitis, earaches and sore throats get better without antibiotics. Community pharmacists are well placed to help provide advice on over the counter medicines to treat symptoms and help with self-care.

So come to the pharmacy first for advice on your symptoms – if you need to see your  doctor we will let you know.