UK Lords call for action to prevent the rise of superbugs
Members of the UK Government's House of Lords science and technology committee are calling for a for a greater crackdown on the inappropriate use of antibiotics drugs, which is believed to be a major factor contributing to the rise of 'superbugs' - otherwise known as antibiotic resistant bacteria. In a report published on 29 March, the committee says that action to resist the rise of superbugs is 'too slow'. The statement follows a report in April 1998, which sounded the alarm on the rise of bacteria and other pathogens resistant to drugs. The 1998 report also called for more frugal use of antibiotics as well as improved infection control and basic hygiene across the UK's National Health Service. A public awareness campaign followed, and a UK 'anti-microbial resistance action plan' was set up. According to the new report, this had some impact, with prescription of antibiotics by general medical practitioners in the UK falling by 19 per cent between 1997 and 1999 and sales of antibiotics for animals falling by one third between 1996 and 1999. These developments are welcomed by the Lords committee, but it also criticises the UK Department of health for moving too slowly or not at all on its side of the campaign.