Spain pushes delayed antibiotic prescriptions to curb super-bug resistance

At a recent pharmaceutical congress in Oviedo, Antonio López of the National Plan against Antibiotic Resistance highlighted delayed prescribing as a cost-effective way to limit antimicrobial misuse. Under the model, doctors write a prescription for a respiratory infection but advise patients to wait up to 72 hours before obtaining the medication, using it only if symptoms do not improve. The Spanish Ministry of Health and regional authorities have formed a working group with the Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices to promote the practice nationwide.

Studies show 30-50% of prescriptions in Spain are unnecessary, especially for viral conditions like pharyngitis and sinusitis. Experts stress that better public education and pharmacist involvement are crucial to overcoming patient expectations and clinician hesitancy. Early results from Valencia and the United Kingdom suggest the approach can cut antibiotic consumption without harming patient outcomes.