Website of the Department of Health

Antibiotic campaign 2008-2009

The Department is re-running its awareness campaign to encourage more prudent use of antibiotics.

The Government has launched the latest phase in its campaign to remind the public that antibiotics do not help to treat viral infections such as colds, most coughs or sore throats.

The press adverts and posters which will appear are designed to reduce unnecessary requests to doctors to prescribe antibiotics and to tackle the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance.

Chief Medical Officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson said:

"Antibiotics don’t work on colds, most coughs or sore throats or even the flu.  Using antibiotics when they are not necessary will increase resistance to them and make it difficult to treat serious bacterial infections in the future.

“If you are suffering with cold and flu symptoms or a sore throat you should
rest, take plenty of fluids and speak to your pharmacist who will advise you on over the counter remedies that are available.”

Antibiotic resistance is a global public health issue in which we all have a part to play in order to keep antibiotics effective. Bacteria will always try to find ways to survive by evolving and developing resistance to antibiotics so we must stay one step ahead of the game.

This campaign is a key element of the UK’s antimicrobial resistance strategy and action plan, in place since 2000, which sets out a range of measures to help slow down the development of resistance.

• Letter announcing the campaign
• Download order form for campaign materials (RTF, 352K)