Prescriptions of antibiotics commonly used for respiratory infections by GPs fell sharply during 2020, new research has revealed.

The work, thought to be the first of its kind, followed concerns that inappropriate use of antibiotics for patients with covid-19 symptoms could store up future problems with the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Looking at weekly GP prescribing data, researchers found an initial surge in late March, following the announcement of a nationwide lockdown.

Following this spike prescriptions for respiratory infections dropped to around a third less than normal levels over April and May.

Similar falls were not witnessed for antibiotics used for different infections.

The study was produced by the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group, which works to stop the overuse of antibiotics to fight the build up of antimicrobial resistance.

In the research, published in the JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance journal, authors suggest the initial spike could be down to doctors writing ‘just in case’ prescriptions for patients with chronic lung conditions to use in future if needed.

Potential factors behind the fall in antibiotics include fewer respiratory infections or more members of the public resorting to self-care.

Further analysis is needed to look into what is driving these trends, the authors say.

A similar study examining patients hospitalised with the virus found a ‘relatively low prevalence’ of antibiotic prescribing, which was attributed to national initiatives to stop inappropriate prescribing.

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