A general practitioner has urged people not to abuse antibiotics – a practice described as “one of the biggest threats to healthcare”.
Graham Duce, of Park Green Surgery, in Macclesfield, Cheshire, has spoken out to mark what is Global Antimicrobial Awareness Week.
It supports an awareness campaign about antibiotics and the growing resistance to these infections.
Dr Duce, also Clinical Lead for Prescribing and Medication Optimization at the Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We need as many people as possible to raise awareness of the vital importance of following their advice. healthcare professional by not using antibiotics and certain other medications. unless it is prescribed for a specific reason and a specific duration.
“For example, antibiotics don’t work on coughs, colds, and most sore throats.
“The overuse of antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics increases resistance to these treatments.
“It happens when bacteria and other insects mutate to the point where drugs are no longer effective against them.
“This is incredibly serious because these drugs are the backbone of modern medicine and an essential part of safe surgery.
“Without them, we would face a future with increasing lifelong disabilities, serious illnesses, longer hospital stays and preventable deaths.”
Global Antimicrobial Awareness Week is organized by the World Health Organization.
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