18 May 2005

Launch details:

Date: Wednesday 18 May 2005

Time: 9.45am for 10.15am

Venue: Moore Park Gardens Pre-school and Long Day Care Centre 4/ 780 Bourke St, East Redfern

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki launched National Prescribing Service Limited’s (NPS) new book Harvey catches a cold targeting families as part of the common colds need common sense campaign. The campaign aims to reduce the problem of antibiotic resistance in Australia.

“More than one in five Australians believe antibiotics can treat a common cold. This incorrect belief contributes to a bigger health problem when people ask for and receive antibiotics from their doctor when they have a common cold, or when their child has a cold,” said Dr Karl Kruszelnicki.

“Antibiotics fight bacteria, not the viruses which cause common colds. Using antibiotics when they are not needed can make them less effective when they are needed. I understand that helping kids through colds is tough. I have three and they still come down with colds every year. They sniffle, sneeze and feel miserable. I want to help them, but, as a doctor I know that antibiotics don’t help,” said Dr Karl.

“Common sense is the best answer for a cold as shown in this new book which is also a great read for parents, carers and children. When Harvey catches a cold, he rests, keeps his fluids up and treats his symptoms. Harvey gets better and is playing with his friends within a week – without antibiotics,” said Dr Karl.

Harvey catches a cold is being distributed nationwide to child care centres and doctors’ surgeries and is available online at www.gottacold.com.

20 million prescriptions were written for antibiotics in 2002-03. Though there is a continuing reduction in the prescribing of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in Australia, more than one third of presentations for generalised URTI in general practice still result in an antibiotic prescription. Countries with greater use of antibiotics have recently been shown to have higher levels of antibiotic resistance.

“NPS is running the common colds need common sense campaign for its fifth year. We aim to further improve use of antibiotics and maintain the momentum of a downward trend in antibiotic prescribing. Our consumer testing suggested that by reading Harvey catches a cold to their child, parents may absorb the campaign messages and may be less likely to want to use antibiotics for treating their child’s cold, ” said Dr Lynn Weekes, CEO, NPS.

National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is a member-based organisation providing accurate, balanced, evidence-based information and services to health professionals and the community on Quality Use of Medicines (QUM). To achieve this we work in partnership with GPs, pharmacists, specialists, other health professionals, government, pharmaceutical industry, consumer organisations and the community. NPS is an independent, non-profit organisation funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.