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Wales witnessing a decline in antibacterial prescriptions

The number of antibacterial prescriptions dispensed by general practitioners (GPs) in Wales in 2017/2018 was 45,296 lesser than that dispensed in the previous year, which translates to a 2% reduction. The findings were published in a new report Public Health Wales (PHW) titled 'Antibacterial Usage in Primary Care in Wales'.

The report also indicates an 11.9% reduction in antibacterial prescriptions between 2013/2014 and 2017/2018. However, the current figure is still lower than the 5% needed by Wales in 2018-2019 to achieve the target of the Government.

Reduction in total antibacterial usage was observed in 6 of the 7 health boards in Wales, with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board witnessing the largest reduction. The GP cluster with the highest rate of dispensed items and that with the lowest rate had a 36% difference in prescribing rates.

"It is great news that antibacterial prescriptions in Wales are coming down, and this is a reflection of the effort and dedication of clinicians in Primary Care services, said Dr. Eleri Davies, Head of Healthcare Associated Infection, Antimicrobial Resistance and Prescribing Programme for PHW.


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