In a recent report it has been revealed that there is dire need for reducing the number of antibiotic prescriptions in the nation. The recent University study is of the view that there is need for 1.6 M cuts each year.

The STAR programme, also known as The Stemming the Tide of Antimicrobial Resistance, has been formed by a team of researchers from the Institute of Primary Care and Public Health from the University’s School of Medicine together with South East Wales Trials Unit SEWTU. They are of the urge that there is need to cut the unnecessary prescriptions of antibiotics. They are of the view that antibiotics are strong medicines and shouldn’t be prescribed to people suffering from minor infections such as sinusitis and cough or cold.

The study was led by Professor Chris Butler and he was of the view that this two year old trail has revealed that there is too much over-prescription happening. There is need for ne and all to understand that the doctors across the vicinity, are simply prescribing these medicines as the sum total cures for minor to major infections, and don’t go deep into the problem of the patient and don’t solve it with their expertise and skill.

"As most antibiotics are prescribed in General Practice, safely reducing the number of unnecessary prescriptions is essential. The STAR programme helped Welsh GPs gain new skills derived from motivational interviewing so they could achieve evidence-based treatment while taking patient perspectives into account”, he said.

There is need for a thorough analysis to be done on the matter, so that there can be better ways and means of treatment found, and the patients don’t need to rely on antibiotics, which have many disadvantages.