RECENT survey findings have revealed most patients have poor knowledge and compliance with antibiotics.
Conducted at Suva's Colonial War Memorial Hospital, the majority of the 100 patients interviewed did not know most of the medicine being administered to them.
Researcher Chaaya Charlene Chandra of the Health Ministry said only 24 per cent of their sample population correctly identified amoxicillin as an antibiotic, however, 51 per cent incorrectly believed Panadol was an antibiotic.
Other figures from the study show that 27 per cent believed antibiotics were needed to treat the common cold and all coughs while 47 per cent agreed that if antibiotics were not taken as prescribed, next time they may not work properly.
The study also showed that 45 per cent admitted to not completing their last medication course, 69 per cent of whom said it was because they felt better.
The survey further revealed 24 per cent and 21 per cent respectively admitted sharing and obtaining antibiotics without prescription and it was determined an overall 85 per cent had inadequate knowledge about antibiotics and 64 per cent did not comply with their antibiotic therapies.
The researchers concluded that the figures indicated a poor knowledge about medicine among the participants which may exist in the general public.
The study highlighted the need for a large scale survey on a national level to determine the full extent of the problem.