Around four in five pharmacies (79 per cent) receive requests for unnecessary antibiotics from patients for minor ailments such as colds at least once a day according to a concerning new survey by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA).
77 per cent of pharmacies surveyed by the NPA also said that the current level of demand for antibiotics for minor ailments could pose a risk to patient and wider population safety.
Pharmacies have reported high demand for antibiotics for minor conditions – often where they would have no effect - and even in some cases report seeing half used courses of treatments being posted on local community reuse social media groups.
The NPA, who are the largest community pharmacy membership body in the UK, have joined forces with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to support their campaign to tackle public misconceptions on antibiotics.
The sample survey of around 400 pharmacies found:
Pharmacists also reported stories of:
Patients requesting antibiotics from their pharmacy before going on holiday just in case of illness as well as patients returning from abroad with significant quantities of antibiotics for conditions that would not normally be treated by them in the UK.
Patients trying to share partially used prescription antibiotics on community reuse Facebook groups as well patients assuming antibiotics were the only way to cure a minor ailment.
The NPA and the UK Health Security Agency are urging patients to understand that not all ailments can be treated with antibiotics and over use of them for minor conditions, such as colds, can make antibiotics less effective for a patient when needed for other more serious illnesses. This creates antibiotic resistance.
Minor ailments such as coughs and colds could be viral infections which will clear up without the use of antibiotics.
The findings come as the UK Health Security Agency run a 6-week long awareness campaign, ‘Andi Biotic’ to embark on a mission to answer people’s uncertainties about when and how to take antibiotics to help preserve their effectiveness today and for future generations.
Attitudinal research by UKHSA highlights that almost half of the UK population (42%) are concerned about how the issue affects them personally but 54% are either unsure if there’s anything they can individually do to prevent antibiotics becoming less effective at treating infections (28%) or incorrectly believe there’s nothing they can personally do (26%).
Especially aiming to bust misconceptions among young adults aged 18-34, ‘Andi’ will come to the rescue in a variety of scenarios to make sure people are taking antibiotics in the right way, including:
Not taking antibiotics for colds and flu which they don’t work for remains one of the biggest misconceptions about taking antibiotics
Only taking antibiotics when you have been prescribed them and taking them as directed by a healthcare professional
Not saving antibiotics for future use
Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said:
“These are concerning findings and shows there are widespread misconceptions about the role that antibiotics can play among some patients.
“Although antibiotics may be an appropriate course of treatment for some conditions, for other ailments like viral coughs and sore throats, they may not be effective. This could also mean antibiotics may not be effective for treating more serious conditions, posing a risk to patient safety.
“Pharmacists are highly trained medical professionals who see nearly two million patients a day and provide medication advice. They can supply antimicrobials in some circumstances but only when they are clinically needed.
“Pharmacies take very seriously their roles as anti microbial stewards and provide more clinical services than ever before, taking pressures away from GPs and the rest of the health system.”
Diane Ashiru-Oredope, Lead Pharmacist for antimicrobial resistance at UKHSA, said:
“Addressing misconceptions about taking antibiotics is an important part of tackling antibiotic resistance.
“Antibiotic resistance is impacting people every day in this country. Not being able to effectively prevent and treat infections is one of the biggest threats to our health. The situation is not hopeless though, we can all work together to help keep antibiotics working. For example, only taking them when prescribed and as directed by a healthcare professional, not taking antibiotics for colds and flu and not saving antibiotics for future use - unused antibiotics can be returned to pharmacies.
“Taking action not only protects our own individual health - it also protects everyone in our communities and future generations."
Notes to editors
This survey was conducted between the 23rd and 27th April 2025. Requests from patients mentioned in the survey are from Pharmacy First consultations and over the counter requests. Pharmacies cannot fulfil over the counter requests for antibiotics but can supply antibiotics in limited circumstances through services such as the Pharmacy First initiative. Pharmacies can also offer advice to patients about antibiotics and other medication.
More about UKHSA’s campaign to help keep antibiotics working can be found here.
