Overdose of Online Prescriptions Could have Devastating Effect on Antibiotic Resistance
The General Medical Council has launched an investigation after a number of antibiotics were prescribed freely by some online pharmacies in ways that should not have happened according to NICE guidelines.
BBC Five Live undercover reporters looked at the practices of 17 online pharmacies and found that many were compliant, but some were not.
In one case, an online pharmacy gave a choice of antibiotics when the reporter asked for treatment for a dental infection. This was despite the reporter not showing any of the symptoms in the NICE guidelines.
Faye Kirkland, a GP who helped the BBC's investigation, said: 'They're not even the kind of antibiotics that I would even consider giving to a patient because they don't kill the bugs that typically cause the problem.'
The GMC said the overprescribing of antibiotics risks the health of everyone.
This comes in the wake of a review into antibiotic resistance led by Lord Jim O'Neill, which estimated that 10 million people could die by 2050 if steps are not taken, such as reducing the amount of antibiotics being handed out.
Lord O'Neill said the actions of some online pharmacies highlighted in the BBC report were 'disturbing' and antibiotics should only be prescribed once there have been a set of clear diagnostic tests.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health advised that antibiotics should only be used when really needed. Websites selling prescription medicines must be registered pharmacies. If they are not, they can be prosecuted.
The DH is looking to raise public awareness of the fact that antibiotics are not effective for common illnesses such as most coughs and colds and also the devastating impact that increasing antibiotic resistance will have on modern medicine unless they are used appropriately.