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Antibiotic prescribing: the need for a policy in general practice
T D Wyatt1, C M Passmore, N C Morrow
1Mater Infirmorum Hospital, Belfast.
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.)
|February 17, 1990
Summary
Prescribing of oral antibacterials in Northern Ireland showed a trend towards increased use of occasional agents. This shift suggests a need for a community antibiotics policy to manage clinical and cost implications.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Antibiotic prescribing patterns are crucial for antimicrobial stewardship.
- Understanding trends in oral antibacterial use is essential for public health policy.
- Northern Ireland's general practice prescribing data provides insights into community antibiotic use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate changes in oral antibacterial prescribing in Northern Ireland.
- To determine if observed trends necessitate a community antibiotics policy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of oral antibiotic prescribing totals from 1983-1987.
- Audit of anti-infective prescribing in general practice.
- Comparison of the usage of common versus occasional antibiotic agents.
Main Results:
- A decrease in the relative use of common agents from 82% (1983) to 77% (1987).
- A concurrent increase in the use of occasional agents from 5% to 10% over the study period.
- Significant changes observed in the prescribing of specific antibiotics including amoxycillin, ampicillin, erythromycin, minocycline, doxycycline, and amoxycillin-clavulanic acid.
Conclusions:
- Despite generally conservative prescribing, a trend towards increased use of occasional agents was identified.
- This trend has potential clinical and economic consequences.
- Implementation of a prescribing formulary could effectively address these implications.