Irish doctors over-prescribing antibiotics

Doctors in Ireland are being singled out for European criticism for the over-prescription of antibiotics.

A new European survey shows antibiotics are being overused in Ireland, and doctors often prescribe more powerful antibiotics when a lesser one will do.

The results could explain why Ireland has a high resistance rate to antibiotics.

The Irish Medical Organisation's Doctor Ronan Boland believes awareness is key. “There’s increasing awareness among many patients that antibiotics are not the always the answer," he said.

“There remains a problem that significant numbers of patients will perceive that if they’ve gone to the trouble and expense of going to the doctor that they shouldn’t leave unless they are armed with prescriptions,” he added.