What is the impact of the Pharmacy First scheme on antibiotic resistance in England?

The Pharmacy First scheme, which allows patients to obtain antibiotics for common illnesses without seeing a GP, has been linked to a 22% increase in private antibiotic prescriptions in England in 2024, raising concerns about its potential contribution to the rise in antimicrobial resistance.

How has the number of antibiotic-resistant infections changed in England?

According to official figures, the number of antibiotic-resistant infections in England increased by 17% in 2024, with the estimated number of deaths in people with a resistant infection rising from 2,041 in 2023 to 2,379 in 2024.

What is the UK Health Security Agency's warning about antimicrobial resistance?

The UKHSA's chief executive, Prof Susan Hopkins, has stated that "Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest health threats we face," as more people are acquiring infections that cannot be effectively treated by antibiotics, putting them at greater risk of serious illness and even death.

Home / Health / Deadly Superbug Infections Climb 17% in England Amid Antimicrobial Crisis

Deadly Superbug Infections Climb 17% in England Amid Antimicrobial Crisis

13 Nov

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Summary

Antibiotic-resistant infections up 17% in England in 2024
Private antibiotic prescriptions rise 22% in 2024
Pharmacy First scheme linked to increased antibiotic use

Deadly Superbug Infections Climb 17% in England Amid Antimicrobial Crisis

According to official figures released by the UK Health Security Agency, the number of deaths linked to superbugs that do not respond to frontline antibiotics increased by 17% in England last year. This alarming trend highlights the ongoing challenge of antimicrobial resistance, which experts have described as one of the greatest health threats facing the country.

The data also revealed a significant rise in private prescriptions for antibiotics, with 22% of all such prescriptions being dispensed through the private sector in 2024. This increase is partly attributed to the Pharmacy First scheme, a government initiative that allows patients to obtain antibiotics for common illnesses without seeing a general practitioner. While the scheme aims to free up GPs for more complex cases, it has raised concerns about its potential contribution to the rise in antibiotic resistance.