As a result of increasing bacterial antibiotic resistance the Department has run awareness campaigns since 1999. The main message is that antibiotics do not work on most coughs and colds and until 2008 the campaigns were based on the ‘Andybiotic’ character. These materials have been available on our website and formed the basis of our campaign in 2006.
In addition we supported the distribution of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain’s “Ask about Antibiotics” leaflet in 2006.
This year’s campaign uses new material and was launched on 4 February 2008. Advertisements are appearing in weekly magazines and national newspapers during February and March and a poster and leaflets are being distributed to general practitioners and pharmacists.