THE pharmacy in Crewkerne is backing a new health campaign urging people to avoid unnecessary visits to their GP by self-treating common winter ailments.
Part of the ‘Pharmacist First’ initiative, Treat Yourself Better Without Antibiotics aims to better educate the public about the proper use of antibiotics and symptom duration.
Unnecessary visits to surgeries cost the NHS £35.2million a year and countless practice hours with the cost of prescribing antibiotics for acute coughs alone exceeding £15million.
Andy Mckee, pharmacy manager, said: “Many people go to their doctor because they think they should get better quickly and worry when they don’t.
“There’s also a common misconception that if a cold or sore throat persists antibiotics will fix it.”
The campaign follows hot on the heels of ‘Ask Your Pharmacist Week’ and runs until the end of February.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here