Half of GPs ‘pressurised’ over antibiotics

Almost half of GPs admitted prescribing antibiotics even though they know they will not treat the patient’s condition, a survey shows.

Some 90% of doctors who responded to a survey said they felt pressure from patients to hand out the medications.

The Longitude Prize survey compiled responses from 1,004 GPs across the UK, and found 28% have prescribed antibiotics several times a week even when they are not sure if it is medically necessary, and 45% have done so knowing they will not help.