On 04/12/2007, edward desilva <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: 1: Antibiotics are OK but only once a year or so, nothing else is need with it.
2: Why? Doctors in UK are advised not to prescribe antibiotics too often - thats why. 3: But, doctors are on commission with the manufacturers so it is in their interest to prescribe a certain medicine or medicines. jc's comment: Dears, I submit that the above statement borders on being both dangerous and slanderous. The general advice is that Antibiotics should be used ONLY as considered necessary. This is a judgment call which oftentimes poses a problem for the doctor. Besides, there are infections which worsen rapidly. When a patient is in a controlled environment like an adequately staffed secondary/tertiary hospital, it is fairly easy to watch and wait for the blood studies, chest xrays etc to be reported upon. When a patient is sent home with medicines - what happens there is a lottery. Some patients comply with the advice while others comply as they themselves see fit. This ability (of the doctor) to make a reasonable judgment call - comes with experience and is complemented by keeping up with Recent Advances and Trends in Disease patterns and treatment modalities. Adding to this mix is that a significant number of problems are preventable. But, we as a people like to do our own thing and then expect the doctor to work miracles. There is no doubt that a number of doctors just prescribe blanket antibiotics - hoping that something will work AND fearing that they (the doctors) would be blamed if the antibiotic was not prescribed and the patient worsens. That doctor probably has no means to be is regular contact with the client. I know of at least one doctor who has his email and home telephone number available 24/7 to his clients. With patients keeping in touch responsibly, it is easier to 'wait and watch' without antibiotics at home. There might be 'doctors on commission with the manufacturers'. Edward probably knows of them. If he does, he should report them to the relevant authorities. I do not believe that it is a major player in the 'unwarranted prescription of antibiotics' scenario. Besides - I know of at least one doctor who does not accept any samples, trinkets, lunches etc from pharmaceutical companies. jc
