Journal of public health
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Journal of public health · Dec 2004
What has happened to antimicrobial usage in primary care in the United Kingdom since the SMAC report? - description of trends in antimicrobial usage using the General Practice Research Database.
The aim of the study was to assess antibiotic prescribing within the United Kingdom for three of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee recommendations 'four things which could be done'. ⋯ For the SMAC recommendation to limit prescribing for uncomplicated cystitis to 3 days in otherwise fit women there has been demonstrable impact since the publication of the SMAC report. For two recommendations (no prescribing of antibiotics for simple coughs and colds; no prescribing of antibiotics for viral sore throats) the impact has been less clear against the background of a general reduction in antimicrobial prescribing.