Over-the counter eye drops raise drug resistance fears

From BBC News:
The move to sell antibiotic eye drops over the counter has led to a large rise in usage, prompting fears about drug resistance, a study says.

Oxford University found that two years after the change, 3.4m doses of chloramphenicol, a conjunctivitis drug, were being sold annually - a 50% rise.

Researchers said the trend was "concerning" as the problem often cleared up without the need for drugs.

But doctors said the move had improved patient access and freed up GP time.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency reclassified the eye drops in 2005, allowing pharmacists to hand them out without the need for a prescription. ...more