Photo: Canadian Press

Antibiotic misuse is common in B.C., according to a new survey.

Antimicrobial resistance is becoming an escalating threat because it has jeopardized the effectiveness of common antibiotics, and contributes to the rise of superbugs.

While most B.C. residents say they understand how to use antibiotics, the Insights West survey reveals many knowingly use them incorrectly.

One in five people (19 per cent) admit to having stopped taking antibiotics before the prescription was finished because their symptoms went away. Twelve per cent admit to having used leftover antibiotics to treat a new illness.

One in 10 say they've used antibiotics that were prescribed to someone else or have received antibiotics somewhere other than a pharmacy, without a prescription.

Despite this, 91 per cent of individuals say they understand that unnecessary antibiotic use directly impacts the effectiveness of antibiotics and contributes to the rise of resistant bacteria.

“The act of taking antibiotics incorrectly goes beyond your own medicine cabinet. It has widespread impact for entire populations of people and for future generations because it compromises our ability to treat infectious diseases and contributes to the rise in resistant bacteria,” said Gianni Del Negro, pharmacy manager at London Drugs.

“Particularly as we head into cold and flu season, it’s timely to remind British Columbians that antibiotics aren’t appropriate for all illnesses and that there are both medical risks and public health consequences of taking antibiotics haphazardly,” said Del Negro.

Some concerning misconceptions gathered from the survey include:

• 30 per cent of individuals are not aware that some common bacterial infections do not require antibiotics.
• More than 22 per cent of individuals do not know that antibiotics don't help the flu virus.
• 16 per cent of individuals don't know that antibiotics don't help the common cold.
• 12 per cent of individuals believe different antibiotics which are prescribed for different infections are the same type of drug.