It’s Time to Get Smart About the Use of Antibiotics
Campaign Aims to Draw Attention to the Increasing Problem of
Antibiotic Resistance
Oct. 7, 2008 - DENVER - Get Smart Colorado, based
at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment,
this week launched a public “call to action” campaign to
educate the public about appropriate use and proper disposal
of antibiotics to prevent antibiotic resistance.
The campaign consists of English and Spanish information
cards containing guidance about the proper use and disposal
of antibiotics that are being displayed throughout the month
of October at Colorado Safeway pharmacy counters. Radio
public service announcements will run through November.
The campaign emphasizes the importance of finishing all
antibiotics when they are prescribed for treating bacterial
infections, not using antibiotics to treat viral infections,
and not using expired medications. “Using antibiotics
improperly can make bacteria resistant to that medication.
Infections caused by resistant bacteria can be harder to
treat because the usual antibiotics cannot kill the
bacteria,” said Kelly Kast, coordinator of the Get Smart
Colorado program.
“We want to encourage everyone to do something to fight
antibiotic resistance, and properly disposing of any unused
antibiotics is a good first step,” she said.
Joe Schieffelin, Solid and Hazardous Waste Program
manager for the Department of Public Health and Environment,
advised, “The best approach is to mix unwanted medicine with
kitty litter or coffee grounds and dispose of it in your
household trash. Do not flush pharmaceuticals down the
toilet or pour down the drain,” he said.
State health officials said local wastewater treatment
plants do not remove most of the chemicals and compounds in
medications. So drugs that get flushed down a drain may be
released into rivers and streams.
Another effective approach for disposing of antibiotics
recommended by Boulder County Public Health is to keep pills
in their original containers and fill the container with
household glue. Then remove the label containing personal
information and place the container in the trash once the
glue has dried.
Government and health care officials have begun
discussing pharmaceutical “take back” programs that would
allow consumers to return unwanted medicine for safe
disposal.
One such “take back” program is being held this month at
Boulder Foothills Hospital on Saturday, Oct. 11.
“Individuals can drop off prescriptions or over-the-counter
medications in pill or liquid form, patches and inhalers and
have them disposed of free of charge,” said Bill Hayes, an
engineer at Boulder County Public Health who directed the
program.
Another key part of the campaign has to do with the
proper use of antibiotics in treating infections. Kast said
that these important medications, while critical in treating
bacterial infections, are not effective for the vast
majority of viral infections, such as viral sore throats and
coughs, bronchitis, sinusitis, runny noses and the regular
cold or flu. Yet, tens of millions of antibiotics are
prescribed for viral infections.
Survey data suggest that there are opportunities for
doctors and other health care professionals to discuss
problems with overusing antibiotics with their patients. So,
during the campaign, Get Smart Colorado will continue to
work to emphasize wise antibiotic use with physicians,
pharmacists, nurses and physician assistants among others.
“Participation with the campaign will improve
communication with patients about this important health
concern,” said Kast.
The campaign is a joint effort between state and local
health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and was launched this week in observance of
national Get Smart About Antibiotics Week, Oct.6-10.
For more information about the campaign or to download
free campaign materials, visit
www.GetSmartColorado.com
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