The General Directorate of Pharmacy, Benefits and Consumer Affairs reminds the need to be responsible with the use of antibiotics, for individual and public health. Antibiotics are used in medicine to prevent and treat infectious diseases caused by bacteria, but they are only useful if they are used correctly. On the occasion of the European Day for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics, the Directorate General makes the following recommendations:
Follow directions as to dosage, schedule and time of treatment.
There are consequences of misusing antibiotics.
Do not ask for an antibiotic at the pharmacy without a prescription.
Do not use antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription.
Do not store leftover antibiotics at home. This way they will not be misused later.
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Direcció General de Farmàcia, Prestacions i Consum
Without antibiotics, transplants, surgery and cancer treatment would not be possible. If they are used incorrectly, it may be difficult to fight serious infections in the future. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections and not against infections caused by viruses, such as constipation or the flu. The incorrect use of antibiotics only serves to make bacteria resistant to these drugs.
Antibiotic resistance is now one of the greatest threats to global health, food safety and development. It can affect anyone, regardless of age or country of residence. The number of infections in which treatment is becoming more and more difficult due to the loss of effectiveness of antibiotics is increasing.
Therefore, it is essential to banish false beliefs about how they work, as well as to emphasize the collective responsibility in the task of preserving their efficacy. Eliminate behaviors that contribute to the irresponsible use of these drugs: self-medication; therapeutic noncompliance; pressure on the pharmacist/physician to dispense/prescribe or prescribe unnecessarily.
The Balearic Islands participates in the National Antibiotic Resistance Plan (PRAN), coordinated since 2014 by the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Health Products. It is articulated in six strategic lines: surveillance, control, prevention, research, training and communication, under the premise of a “One Health” vision. The Autonomous Community has the PRAN_CAIB Technical Committee. This is a multidisciplinary group with experts from all the areas involved and with territorial representation.