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Four in five pharmacies receive inappropriate requests for antibiotics on a daily basis, a survey of roughly 400 independent contractors has found.

The survey of National Pharmacy Association members, which was carried out alongside the UK Health Security Agency and ran between April 23-27, found that 79 per cent have to refuse requests for antibiotics to treat a cold or minor ailment at least once a day. 

These requests come via both the Pharmacy First service and informal over the counter requests, the survey found.

A quarter of survey respondents said patients frequently return unused antibiotics after taking some of their prescribed medication, while 37 per cent reported knowing of patients who regularly ‘hoard’ antibiotics for future use. 

The survey also heard anecdotal reports of patients asking pharmacies for antibiotics before their holiday “just in case of illness”.

And 77 per cent felt this level of demand for antibiotics among the public posed a risk to public health, amid reports that part-used prescriptions being posted on “local community reuse social media groups”.

NPA chair Olivier Picard commented: “These are concerning findings and show there are widespread misconceptions about the role that antibiotics can play among some patients.

“Although antibiotics may be an appropriate course of treatment for some conditions, for other ailments like viral coughs and sore throats, they may not be effective. This could also mean antibiotics may not be effective for treating more serious conditions, posing a risk to patient safety.

“Pharmacists are highly trained medical professionals who see nearly two million patients a day and provide medication advice. They can supply antimicrobials in some circumstances but only when they are clinically needed. 

“Pharmacies take very seriously their roles as antimicrobial stewards and provide more clinical services than ever before, taking pressures away from GPs and the rest of the health system.”

The UKHSA launched a six-week public awareness campaign on April 7 to tackle misconceptions among adults aged 18-34, with the false belief that antibiotics work for colds and flu described as one of the most widely held.  

Diane Ashiru-Oredope, lead antimicrobial resistance pharmacist at UKHSA, said: “Antibiotic resistance is impacting people every day in this country. Not being able to effectively prevent and treat infections is one of the biggest threats to our health.

“The situation is not hopeless though, we can all work together to help keep antibiotics working. 

“For example, only taking them when prescribed and as directed by a healthcare professional, not taking antibiotics for colds and flu and not saving antibiotics for future use - unused antibiotics can be returned to pharmacies. 

“Taking action not only protects our own individual health - it also protects everyone in our communities and future generations."

CPD: Antibiotic stewardship in community pharmacy