During the month of November (18-24 November 2024), World Antibiotic Week took place, which draws attention to the risk of antibiotic resistance every year. In recent years, it represents an increasingly serious problem and troubles both patients and doctors. It is therefore necessary to educate the public on how to properly handle antibiotic preparations.

Antibiotic resistance means that some types of bacteria stop responding to antibiotics (or can defend themselves effectively). Such resistant bacteria can pose a fatal risk for some patients. For treatment, it is then necessary to use stronger types of antibiotics, the possibilities of which are then significantly limited.

The emergence of resistance leads to:

• excessive prescription and use of antibiotics in cases where they are not fully indicated,
• misuse and non-compliance.

Patients often do not realize the consequences of their irresponsible behavior.

The most common ailments include:

• the use of antibiotics for viral diseases with the vision of a "faster" recovery or even "just in case",
• the patient does not take antibiotics for the entire necessary period of treatment, but only for the duration of bothersome symptoms,
• the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics without culture results or a more detailed laboratory examination,
• the patient prescribes antibiotics himself (he has them at home from previous treatment or even in stock) without the doctor's knowledge.

Pharmacists also play an irreplaceable role in patient education (dosage control; warnings about necessary regimen measures, possible side effects or drug interactions). Promotion of rules to support the rational use and prescribing of antibiotics in the Czech Republic can significantly contribute to limiting consumption.

Free according to the web portal of the Czech Chamber of Pharmacy for the public Pharmaceutical drops and Hygiene stations of the capital city of Prague, 29 November 2024