THE Ministry of Health is cracking down on instances of antibiotics being given over the counter as they work to ensure drug resistant strains of diseases do not develop in Fiji.

Speaking at the World Consumer Rights Day yesterday, Health Ministry chief pharmacist Apolosi Vosanibola said people needed to understand that antibiotics should not be used to treat all diseases.

The day was celebrated with the theme “Stop Misuse of Antibiotics” and Mr Vosanibola explained the incorrect and incomplete use of antibiotics courses could give rise to diseases that were drug resistant in the long-term.

He said the problem of getting antibiotics over the counter was a worldwide problem and had a lot to do with public perceptions of antibiotics.

“One of the issues that we mentioned in the panel today is that the people need to understand what antibiotics are for,” Mr Vosanibola said.

“One of the surveys the Ministry of Health conducted during Hibiscus last year was to gauge the people’s understanding of antibiotics — most of them they don’t know what antibiotics are.

“But when we say amoxicillin, then they say, ‘oh, that’s an antibiotic, I thought this is just a pain reliever’.”

Mr Vosanibola said they were also working with doctors and pharmacists on issues surrounding the prescription of antibiotics.

“We are also going to work with the profession; we are going to create awareness within the profession on giving antibiotics, what is the most appropriate antibiotic?

“You have a list of antibiotics which is the best one that you need to give for this course.

“And also working with pharmacists, discouraging them to give antibiotics over the counter as well so that we are not only focusing on one area, we are going to target all areas.”