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 Department is continuing to encourage more prudent use of antibiotics. Materials to support primary care prescribers and others in generating awareness of the appropriate use of antibiotics are available to download. However, as research has shown there may be some confusion amongst the public between antivirals and antibiotics. No national press advertising is planned during the current swine flu pandemic.

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.

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