SILHILLIANS have been urged to join the Antibiotic Amnesty to help keep antibiotics working in the borough.
Healthcare leaders encouraging everyone throughout the region to return their old or unused antibiotics to their nearest pharmacy.
Over 300 local pharmacies in the Midlands are supporting the month-long amnesty, which is taking place throughout November to promote the safe disposal of antibiotics, while raising awareness of how the misuse of antibiotics has contributed to medications becoming less effective against harmful bacteria.
Dr Clara Day, chief medical officer at NHS Birmingham and Solihull, said: “As we approach winter, with colds, sore throats and flu on the rise, if someone finds leftover antibiotics in their bathroom cabinet and gives that medication to a poorly friend, they might think that’s a kind, helpful gesture.
“Unfortunately, the reality is, saving antibiotics for later or sharing them with others is dangerous and can have huge consequences.
“You should only take antibiotics when advised by a health professional, and if you take antibiotics when you do not need them, it will put you at more risk in the future.
“It’s important for all of us, health professionals and public alike, to support the Antibiotic Amnesty, so we can help keep antibiotics working.”
The overuse of antibiotics has led to a rise of antibiotic resistance, where antibiotics are becoming less effective because the more antibiotics are used, the less effective they become against their target organisms, such as bacteria, and the less they work at making us better when we need them.
Pharmacies will always accept unwanted medicines from people or households for safe disposal.
Medicines returned to a pharmacy are safely stored, collected by a licensed waste contractor and taken for safe disposal by incineration.
Visit https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy to find your nearest pharmacy.
