Scientists’ AMR warning over government’s new ‘pharmacy-first’ policy – letter
Telegraph
23-05-16 10:44
A group of UK scientists and healthcare providers has cautioned the government against a proposal to empower community pharmacists to prescribe common medications such as antibiotics. Unless the initiative is properly implemented with attention given to antibiotic resistance, it could generate unanticipated consequences reversing the effects, warn the scientists in a joint letter addressed to Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In the letter, scientists propose the use of diagnostic tests combined with patient symptoms to make better prescription decisions, thereby avoiding inappropriate antibiotic use, rising antibiotic resistance and increasing the burden on the NHS.