Patients and the public need to understand that every bug doesn’t need a drug, according to leading microbiologist Prof Hilary Humphreys.

Hospitals are spending 20-30pc of their budget on antibiotics and if this was cut by 5-10pc million of euro could be save and healthcare associated infections reduced  considerably.

Prof Humphreys of Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital  was speaking at the launch of a position paper by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland on antibiotic use.

The microbiologist called for a more prudent use of the drugs stressing that excessive use leads to antibiotic resistant bacteria like MRSA – a frequent cause of infection in Irish hospitals.

His remarks have been welcomed by the Irish Society of Homeopaths. Spokesperson Sheelagh Behan explains that “Homeopathy has a different approach to illness because it addresses the person’s immne system, strengthening it to resist and throw off the infection. Unlike antibiotics, the person’s system does not build up a resistance to the remedies.

'Not everyone falls ill when a bug hits – this is because only some will be susceptible to the bug because of stress or a weakness in their immune system..

“In acute illnesses like infections, usually rapid improvement is seen with the added bonus of the person subsequently having stronger defences as a result of their homeopathic treatment.”

According to Prof Humphreys:.'Ireland’s antibiotic use is high by European standards and we are one of only three countries in Europe where outpatient antibiotic prescribing is increasing.

“Doctors need to reduce the amount of antibiotics being prescribed”, he said, adding that the public could assist in this by understanding that not every infection requires an antibiotic.

“Most common infections, and in particular colds and flu-like illnesses are caused by viruses and therefore will not respond to antibiotics”, he explained.

“It is alarming that despite increasing awareness of this problem Ireland is one of only three countries in Europe where outpatient antibiotic prescribing is increasing”.

Prof Humphreys also pointed out that there are currently few, if any, new antibiotics in development for use in treating infections, which was another reason to use the ones we already have more judiciously.

The new position paper states that the RCPI is supporting efforts to reduce antibiotic use by providing training on this topic to over 1,000 junior doctors on its postgraduate training programmes.

Prof Humphreys also stressed that in the current economic climate it should be borne in mind that reduced use of antibiotics would not just help in reducing healthcare associated infections, it would also save money.

 “Reducing antibiotic use will reduce costs for patients and the Health Service Executive, minimise side effects and more importantly, help check the development and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria,” the RCPI’s position paper says.

The RCPI is also developing position papers on advice for people with healthcare associated infections when discharged from hospital and on dealing with such infections in nursing homes. These are due to be published later this year.