Don't use it, or lose it - doctors warn against antibiotic over-use

There are concerns about an increase in the amount of antibiotics being consumed in Australia. Reports, doctors are warning the effectiveness - and supply - of antibiotics is not unlimited, and there are dire consequences potentially if new health problems emerge.

Antibiotic resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, 3d illustration. Credit: CHRISTOPH BURGSTEDT/SCIENCE PHOT/Getty Images/Science Photo Libra

Anti-microbials are a broad spectrum of medications that fight bacteria, fungi, parasites, and some viruses.

And their use is again increasing in Australia.

A new report by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care says antimicrobial use in the community fell in 2020.

It was part of a 25 per cent fall during the COVID-19 pandemic, as there was nothing to fight the then-new coronavirus.