Patients' interviews and misuse of antibiotics

To better evaluate patient contribution in antibiotic use, we questioned 53 79 subjects from 9 countries. Antibiotics are perceived as strong, efficien t drugs, but they are believed to undermine immunity. Interviewees believe that most respiratory infections, except the common cold, require antibioti c therapy, and 11% of them had to exaggerate their symptoms to get an antib iotic prescription from their physician. About 1 patient in 4 saved part of the antibiotic course for future use. Sixty-nine percent of the patients c laimed to have taken the course until the end (United Kingdom, 90%; Thailan d, 53%), and 75% claimed that they actually took all the daily doses. In al l countries, it was possible to get antibiotics from a pharmacist without a medical prescription. This study shows that patients exert pressure on the ir doctors to get antibiotics and should allow a design for precise educati onal action aimed at the public for better control of antibiotic use in the community.