A study published today on antimicrobial resistance and the causes of non-prudent use of antibiotics carried out by Nivel （NL� as part of the EU-funded project ARNA, estimates that 7% of antibiotics taken in the EU are taken without a pres cription. The highest rates of non-pres cription use of antibiotics are in Romania �?0%� and Greece �?6%� with high rates also found in Cyprus, Hungary and Spain. Over the counter selling of antibiotics in pharmacies and the use of leftover antibiotics were found to be the main causes.

Reasons for such imprudent use of antibiotics include lack of knowledge by the patient, lack of knowledge by pharmacists, pharmacists co nsenting to sell antibiotics without a pres cription - particularly when there is patient pressure, and healthcare providers dispensing whole packages of antibiotics wher there are pills left over o nce a patient has finished the prescribed course. It was also found that pharmacists in smaller pharmacies seem more likely to dispense antibiotics without a pres cription.