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Welsh GPs in antibiotic overuse study
More than 60 doctors' surgeries in Wales are taking part in a study into the prescription of antibiotics.
The study, by researchers at Cardiff University, aims to help reduce the amount of the drugs prescribed by GPs in the country, areas of which have some of the highest antibiotic prescription rates in Europe.
Antibiotics help to treat bacterial infections, but are ineffective against complaints caused by a virus, such as colds, flu and many coughs and sore throats. The inappropriate prescription of them to treat such complaints has contributed to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, such as MRSA.
Earlier this month, the government launched a UK-wide campaign to tackle the overuse of antibiotics, reminding patients that the drugs are inappropriate to treat colds.
GPs taking part in the Welsh study will be offered online training, and will be interviewed by a pharmacist on their prescribing trends, BBC News reports. Cardiff University professor Chris Butler said that Welsh doctors 'prescribe almost double the amount of antibiotics they are using in Holland'.
'[Patients] must have clear information from their GP. Patients generally sign up to decisions not to give them antibiotics when they have clear information,' he added.
Category: Healthcare
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