Antibiotics: "Use them right, it's important"
Maintaining the effectiveness of antibiotics for humans and animals and reducing resistance: These are the two most important goals of the national antibiotic resistance strategy StAR. The strategy is being implemented by the federal government together with doctors, pharmacists, veterinarians and farmers. Launched in 2015, it is showing initial successes: for example, the consumption of antibiotics in veterinary medicine has been reduced by half. In human medicine, uniform prescription guidelines apply throughout Switzerland. With an information campaign, the federal government now wants to make the general population even more aware of the issue; this with the slogan "Antibiotics: Use them right, it's important".
© Depositphotos/VadimVasenin
The development of Antibiotics is one of the most significant achievements of modern medicine. Thanks to these drugs, it is possible to cure dangerous diseases such as pneumonia or blood poisoning, which were often fatal in the past. However, if antibiotics are taken too often or incorrectly, bacteria become resistant and the antibiotics lose their effect. This increases the risk that certain infections in humans or animals will be difficult or impossible to treat.
Maintaining the effectiveness of antibiotics requires not only the commitment of experts. Patients and animal owners should also use these antibiotics responsibly. Medication circumvent. Surveys have shown that there are still gaps in knowledge among the population. With a broad-based campaign, the federal government therefore wants to inform people about the importance of antibiotics, the risks of resistant bacteria and the correct use of these drugs in humans and animals.
The campaign will be launched throughout Switzerland with TV commercials, posters, online advertising and a campaign website and is expected to run for four years. Animated characters provide information under the slogan "Antibiotics: Use them right, it matters" about the careful use of these medicines and the consequences that bacteria that have become resistant can have for humans, animals, agriculture and the environment.
More info
