Save vital medicines - use antibiotics wisely
10 November 2025
Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent some types of bacterial infection. They work by killing bacteria or preventing them from spreading. But they do not work for everything.
Many mild bacterial infections get better on their own without using antibiotics.
Antibiotics do not work for viral infections such as colds and flu, and most coughs.
Bacteria are now becoming resistant to medicines at an increasing rate, turning once-treatable infections into potentially life-threatening conditions.
This growing crisis is known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
While bacteria naturally develop resistance over time, the misuse and overuse of antibiotics is speeding up this process.
Take action to keep antibiotics working
- Only use antibiotics when prescribed by a healthcare professional.
- Always complete the full course as directed by your healthcare professional.
- Never save antibiotics for later or share them with anyone else.
For more about antibiotics, visit:
World AMR Awareness Week - 18 to 24 November
The theme for World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) 2025 is 'Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future'.
As part of World AMR Awareness Week there is an 'antibiotic amnesty' - dispose of your unused antibiotics via your community Pharmacy to help fight antimicrobial resistance.
You can also become an Antibiotic Guardian by making one simple pledge to use antibiotics appropriately and help save these vital medicines from becoming obsolete.
