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Call to punish GPs over antibiotics Call to punish GPs over antibiotics
(about 4 hours later)
"Soft-touch" and "hazardous" doctors should be disciplined for prescribing too many antibiotics, a leading NHS figure says."Soft-touch" and "hazardous" doctors should be disciplined for prescribing too many antibiotics, a leading NHS figure says.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's Prof Mark Baker said 10 million prescriptions a year were inappropriate.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's Prof Mark Baker said 10 million prescriptions a year were inappropriate.
He said regulators need to deal with overprescribing doctors who failed to change their ways.He said regulators need to deal with overprescribing doctors who failed to change their ways.
The Royal College of GPs said the call was "counter-productive and unhelpful".The Royal College of GPs said the call was "counter-productive and unhelpful".
There is universal consensus that the very basis of modern medicine is under threat due to rising numbers of infections that are resistant to drugs.There is universal consensus that the very basis of modern medicine is under threat due to rising numbers of infections that are resistant to drugs.
The "antibiotic apocalypse" not only means that long-forgotten infections could kill again, but jeopardises procedures including surgery and chemotherapy.The "antibiotic apocalypse" not only means that long-forgotten infections could kill again, but jeopardises procedures including surgery and chemotherapy.
Using antibiotics inappropriately for sore throats and colds increases the risk of resistance. Yet the number of prescriptions continues to rise.Using antibiotics inappropriately for sore throats and colds increases the risk of resistance. Yet the number of prescriptions continues to rise.
NICE has prepared fresh guidelines on antibiotic prescribing for the NHS in England, which can be adopted by other parts of the UK.NICE has prepared fresh guidelines on antibiotic prescribing for the NHS in England, which can be adopted by other parts of the UK.
The guidelines acknowledge that there is huge pressure from some patients for the drugs.The guidelines acknowledge that there is huge pressure from some patients for the drugs.
Prof Baker even said some people were "addicted" to the idea of getting antibiotics, even for conditions that would clear up on their own.Prof Baker even said some people were "addicted" to the idea of getting antibiotics, even for conditions that would clear up on their own.
He added 97% of patients who asked for antibiotics ended up getting them, often by identifying a "soft-touch" doctor.He added 97% of patients who asked for antibiotics ended up getting them, often by identifying a "soft-touch" doctor.
The guidelines say doctors should tell patients when antibiotics are inappropriate and refuse to write prescriptions.The guidelines say doctors should tell patients when antibiotics are inappropriate and refuse to write prescriptions.
Prof Mark Baker, director of the organisation's centre for clinical practice, said: "We are proposing that evidence is collected so the finger can be pointed at people who are a soft touch."Prof Mark Baker, director of the organisation's centre for clinical practice, said: "We are proposing that evidence is collected so the finger can be pointed at people who are a soft touch."
He said antibiotics could cause more harm than good in some patients, so overprescribing was "really hazardous practice".He said antibiotics could cause more harm than good in some patients, so overprescribing was "really hazardous practice".
And, he said, doctors should be encouraged to change their habits. But ultimately some cases should be dealt with by the General Medical Council, which has the power to withdraw a doctor's right to practise, "if necessary".And, he said, doctors should be encouraged to change their habits. But ultimately some cases should be dealt with by the General Medical Council, which has the power to withdraw a doctor's right to practise, "if necessary".
NICE admits that if previous guidelines on respiratory tract infections, which include colds, were actually followed then prescriptions would be 22% lower.NICE admits that if previous guidelines on respiratory tract infections, which include colds, were actually followed then prescriptions would be 22% lower.
The latest rules for doctors should cut the 42 million prescriptions given each year by around a quarter.The latest rules for doctors should cut the 42 million prescriptions given each year by around a quarter.
Dr Tim Ballard, from the Royal College of GPs, said the focus needed to be on "societal change" - not doctors.Dr Tim Ballard, from the Royal College of GPs, said the focus needed to be on "societal change" - not doctors.
He said: "Any suggestion that hard-pressed GPs - who are already trying to do their jobs in increasingly difficult circumstances - will be reported to the regulator is counter-productive and unhelpful."He said: "Any suggestion that hard-pressed GPs - who are already trying to do their jobs in increasingly difficult circumstances - will be reported to the regulator is counter-productive and unhelpful."
NICE will be publishing guidelines on educating the public next year.NICE will be publishing guidelines on educating the public next year.
Other recommendations include the use of "delayed prescribing" where a patient can only use a prescription if his condition gets worse and creating "antimicrobial stewards" who identify high levels of prescribing.Other recommendations include the use of "delayed prescribing" where a patient can only use a prescription if his condition gets worse and creating "antimicrobial stewards" who identify high levels of prescribing.
Niall Dickson, the chief executive of the General Medical Council, said doctors should reflect on their prescribing habits as part of an annual appraisal.Niall Dickson, the chief executive of the General Medical Council, said doctors should reflect on their prescribing habits as part of an annual appraisal.
He said "doctors can, and do, face sanctions for mis-prescribing." But the message is "more about changing the norms of practice generally than pursuing individual doctors".He said "doctors can, and do, face sanctions for mis-prescribing." But the message is "more about changing the norms of practice generally than pursuing individual doctors".
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