Q Should the government step up monitoring of antibiotic use?
As a doctor working in the public system, I can say we are closely monitored regarding appropriate antibiotic use. The same cannot be said for private practitioners. It is common for private practitioners to dispense antibiotics for what are obviously viral infections. Some doctors argue that patients expect it, so they do it.
That's not medicine; that's sales.
Dr Y.K. Yuen
Without doubt, the government should become more involved with antibiotics use. Although antibiotics are drugs that help kill or prevent the growth of bacteria, when used improperly the small number of surviving bacteria are able to multiply with a stronger resistance to antibiotics.
This can result in serious consequences, making some antibiotics virtually useless. The fact that Hong Kong has already developed a programme to monitor the use of antibiotics in public hospitals is outstanding.