Antibiotic use cut by 21% in a UL and Department of Health study

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, fungi, and parasites are no longer affected by antibiotics. This can be accelerated by people taking antibiotics without needing them or taking them for too long a period of time. Picture: iStock

Antibiotic use dropped by a startling 21% after doctors changed how they prescribe these medicines, research by the University of Limerick and the Department of Health has found.

A phenomenon known as “antimicrobial resistance” (AMR) happens when bacteria, fungi, and parasites are no longer affected by antibiotics.