Press Release: Almost 40% of Europeans are aware of the issue of overuse of antibiotics, says a survey

On 9 April 2010, the Commission published two reports which demonstrate the need for further progress in the European Union on the issue of anti microbial resistance. The first is a pan-European survey which reveals some worrying trends in public attitudes towards the use of antibiotics. The results indicate that citizens need more information on the correct use of antibiotics, even though 37% of respondents remember having received information on not overusing antibiotics in the last 12 months. The second document is a progress report on the 2002 Council Recommendation on the prudent use of antibiotics. The report shows that good progress has been made in several areas.