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Number of antibiotic prescriptions in England falls, figures show Number of antibiotic prescriptions in England falls, figures show
(4 months later)
The number of antibiotics being prescribed to patients by GPs in England has fallen significantly, latest figures show.The number of antibiotics being prescribed to patients by GPs in England has fallen significantly, latest figures show.
According to NHS Improvement, prescriptions for all types of the drug were down by more than 2.6m, compared with last year, to about 34m in 2015-16.According to NHS Improvement, prescriptions for all types of the drug were down by more than 2.6m, compared with last year, to about 34m in 2015-16.
Heralding the drop as a “fantastic result” the health watchdog said the figures showed doctors were being careful not to over-prescribe antibiotics, the BBC reported.Heralding the drop as a “fantastic result” the health watchdog said the figures showed doctors were being careful not to over-prescribe antibiotics, the BBC reported.
Related: UK farmers to cut antibiotic use to combat drug resistance
It is part of a wider drive to stop harmful infections developing resistance to antibiotics.It is part of a wider drive to stop harmful infections developing resistance to antibiotics.
Prescriptions for broad-spectrum antibiotics fell by 16%, from 3.9m prescriptions in 2014-15 to 3.3m the following year.Prescriptions for broad-spectrum antibiotics fell by 16%, from 3.9m prescriptions in 2014-15 to 3.3m the following year.
Dr Mike Durkin, from NHS Improvement, said: “This [is a] fantastic result achieved in just one year.”Dr Mike Durkin, from NHS Improvement, said: “This [is a] fantastic result achieved in just one year.”
Adding that too many people suffer and lose their lives due to antibiotic-resistant infections, he continued: “At a time when the NHS has advanced in many areas of patient care, science and technology, we must work to prevent healthcare going backwards to a time where antibiotics are no longer fighting infections.Adding that too many people suffer and lose their lives due to antibiotic-resistant infections, he continued: “At a time when the NHS has advanced in many areas of patient care, science and technology, we must work to prevent healthcare going backwards to a time where antibiotics are no longer fighting infections.
“This is why efforts in the NHS to reduce the overprescribing of antibiotics are crucial, and these latest figures are a significant step forward in this fight.”“This is why efforts in the NHS to reduce the overprescribing of antibiotics are crucial, and these latest figures are a significant step forward in this fight.”