Australian health authorities will this year reportedly consider changes to the way antibiotics are prescribed, in an effort to curb the spread of superbugs.
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One option may be to restrict or halt repeat prescriptions by doctors, pending the outcome of a Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee report on the issue due later this year, according to The Australian.
Almost half of antibiotic prescriptions are issued with repeats, and according to a report issued last month antimicrobial resistance shows little sign of easing in Australia.
Disease-producing bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis are among those becoming increasingly resistant to major drug classes.
Some organisms are even resistant to last-resort treatments, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care report found.
Australia's anti-microbial resistance strategy is reviewed every five years.
Australian Associated Press
