The discovery of antibiotic drugs to treat infections caused by bacteria has been an important development of modern medicine.
When exposed to antibiotic drugs, bacteria can develop resistance requiring the use of a different and sometimes more toxic and expensive treatments of infections. (Antibiotics are "antimicrobial" drugs.
Over-prescribing, that is prescribing antibiotics when they are not necessary to treat the infection, has been a factor worldwide in development and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Preventing over-use of antibiotics in the community is important in slowing the development and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria and the Ministry of Health, Independent Practitioner Associations, Pharmac, the Medical Association and other groups contribute to raise awareness amongst GPs and other prescribers to limit antibiotic use.
Page last updated: 14 December 2011
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| Poisons | Dial 0800 POISON (0800 764 766) |
| Mental health crisis | Emergency contact numbers |
© Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora, 2013
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