utilization
You should question your doctor about your antibiotic prescription
JimHutchinson | 23 Jun 2009I gave a talk at the Canadian Society for Laboratory Science annual general meeting today concerning antibiotic resistance. In it I suggested that everyone has a role in the solution to the problem. Afterward someone asked me if they should question their physician more thoroughly when they are given a prescription. It is something I have been asked before and have generally been reluctant to suggest that questioning their doctor's prescription decision was appropriate. I have been very conscious of the need for a cooperative, blameless approach.
I have changed my mind.
Everyone should demand very specific information about all antibiotic prescriptions. You should be aware of the exact diagnosis, the expected course of illness and symptoms that would suggest need for further medical assessment. Discussions of alternatives are completely appropriate. If your doctor can't or won't give you the information you want consider another opinion.
Taking antibiotics is serious business and deserves serious personal consideration. The more questions asked the better.
The case for a national Antibiotic Drug Plan
JimHutchinson | 11 Dec 2008Antibiotic resistance is rapidly escalating and is a threat to us all. It is the "global warming" of medicine and just as energy consumption will necessarily continue, so will consumption of antibiotics. Resistance to antibiotics can't be completely "fixed" but must be actively managed - forever. As antibiotic consumption cannot be optimized by market distribution active regulatory control is the only option.
At present there are many uncoordinated levels of regulation of drug distribution in Canada. Federally, a new drug must be approved for sale by Therapeutic Products Directorate (TPD). Once approved (given a "notice of compliance" with regulations) a manufacturer can market the drug to prescribers however the central marketing effort is directed toward large governmental and third party payers. The vast majority of human drugs in Canada are payed for by these institutional drug plans. Each province and territory has their own drug plan and their are several large private plans that provide coverage to employees of private companies, unions members, government employees, and some individuals. The provincial drug plans vary widely in structure, eligibility, coverage, administration and means and levels of cost sharing.
