Examining the use of delayed antimicrobial prescribing

Resistance to antibiotics is an important public health concern; with a recent substantial increase in the burden of antibiotic resistance, resistance to second- and third-line antibiotics is predicted to increase by 70% by 2030 if effective public health measures are not employed (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, 2018). Therefore, such effective measures are sought and implemented where possible where evidence supports the use of the measure, to protect future public health. The pandemic has made the world very aware of the consequences of a viral infection that people could not be protected against until the vaccine was developed, and the results could be similar for a wave of everyday microbial infections that also can no longer be treated due to resistance to antimicrobial treatment.

One of the main measures that can be undertaken to tackle this looming crisis is to reduce unnecessary and inappropriate use of antibiotics where possible, particularly so in primary care, where antibiotics are most prescribed.