It seems that communication may likely be the key to help solve the the overprescribing of antibiotics in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Quality of Care NL hosted an “Antibiotics Future Forum” at Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine as part of World Antibiotics Awareness Week and the need for public engagement was echoed by many who spoke.

The Chief Officer of Public Health of Canada, Dr. Theresa Tam says that antibiotics are handed out unnecessarily 30 to 50 per cent of the time.

She says there are many ways to lower the amount of antibiotics prescribed in the province. The solutions are based on better public awareness of drug resistant infections and why antibiotics may not be needed when you see a doctor.

Dr. Tam says that antibiotics are often taken for granted so it’s important for patients to empower themselves.

She says you need to know what medications you are taking and that it’s important to ask your doctor if antibiotics are needed or if there are other alternatives that will help you feel better.

The overprescription of antibiotics leads to the development of antimicrobial resistance. That means antibiotics will not longer work to cure infections.

Dr. Tam says there has been a slight reduction in the amount of prescribed antibiotics, but that the number in the province is still far too high.