Too much anti-biotic could screw up your system. Eventually anti-biotics cease to have any beneficial effect if you take too much.

I'm not an expert by the way, so this is not medical advice! :)

If it is true that pharmacists on the continent dispense antibiotics, then it would be interesting to find out how extensive the antibiotic resistance is in these areas.

I think there should probably be less antibiotic prescription everywhere - so disagree with this idea.

Things like stronger paracetamol - Yes
Anti-biotics - No

Some medicines should be prescribed by pharmacists but dont let them hand out anti-biotics, resistance to them is already too high in this country, this would just make it worse.

GPs over prescribe anti biotics as it is. Pharmacists should not be allowed to prescribe them. To be honest you can already buy extremely strong drugs over the counter, which in some cases are illegal in other countries, ie Codeine.

Pharmasists often question doctors incorrect and/or unsuitable prescriptions.They know more about the effects that antibiotics can have on patients already taking other medicines and with other illnesses.
Lets leave GP's to deal with people who have more serious problems.

bad idea. anti-biotic resistant bugs are here because of the over-use of anti-biotics. allowing pharmacies to dish them out willy-nilly would increase these bugs. i for one don't want to catch MRSA

We need to restrict antibiotic usage not extend it. Many bacteria are becoming resistant to our everyday ABs like amoxicillin.
People need to stop bothering their GP asking for ABs when they have a cold or sore throat, usually caused by a virus. ABs do not work against viruses.

I agree. Pharmacists get a good training. Let them use it.

Thank goodness for the sensible comments about this post. Coughs, colds and sore throats do not require antibiotic treatment. Overuse of antibiotics (and people failing to complete the course, which helps bugs develop resistance to antibiotics) is a major factor in the prevalence of MRSA, which can kill the vulnerable. The best way to ease the pressure on GP surgeries is not to bother them with minor coughs, colds and sore throats. Don't bother them when you've got flu either - it's a virus and antibiotics don't work on viruses.

Graze gone septic, go to Pharmacy for Anti biotic cream, not allowed to sell it must go to see GP or A&E, sheer waste of time for all concerned. Meanwhile far more dangerous things are available off supermarket shelves or via internet - no joined up thinking or common sense.

Anti-biotic resistance is the result of people (now aged 50+) having watched The Magic Bullet and thinking that ABs stop all diseases.

Mind you, these are the same people who will take yearly flu vaccinations in the hope that they were fated to catch last year's disease and then suffer complications - the odds of which are less than favourable when compared to getting a reaction from the injection itself.

Darwin at work, people!

The incorrect use of antibotics has contributed to the highly resistant strains that are now in circulation. Making them freely available for people to take when they get a sniffle is only going to make the situation worse. Bad idea.

It s a fact, that our A&E in all hospitals are full of patients who have rushed there because they do know well they have an infection from various causes: they had this many times before and they know they need a specific antibiotic asap to stop it getting worse. Some have special conditions and have doctors instructions as to when they need antibiotic. The A&E give antibiotics after a test and then they give a sample to the lab to check if the antiobiotic is for the right bug but first they do give an antibiotic and then they revise the drug if necessary. In fact many patients have instructions from consultants what to do if they suspect infection. Many patients go through several different courses of antibiotics for months because one is not enough. A chemist could assess depending what qualifications they have. Some patients get one antibiotic a day in the long terme!!! The prospectuses say what the drug is for and the recommended dose and effects and symptoms to watch. Some people or most will find themselves and even their young children sooner or later in life in conditiions developing and where they need urgent antibiotics. Most of us review what our opinions were earlier.

This is a very bad suggestion; the main reason we have so many problems with superbugs is because anti-biotics are available over the counter in many countries.

We need less reliance on drugs not more.