Rx excess: Millions of kids get unneeded prescriptions, study shows | Forensic Files

new research this morning claims millions of children get antibiotics they don't need the American Academy of
Pediatrics says they're being prescribed twice as often as they should be for children with respiratory infections the
study estimates 11.4 million antibiotic prescriptions each year are unnecessary our Dr Holly Phillips is with us this
morning good morning good morning Nora so tell us what this study found out you know this study really looked at data on
thousands of kids that had common respiratory infections that can be caused either by viruses or bacteria
these are things like sore throats um ear infections sinusitis even some bronchitis symptoms and they found that
about 27% of the time these infections are caused by bacteria in which case antibiotics will help but in 57% of
cases where kids were brought to the doctor with these symptoms they were prescribed an antibiotic so basically
that's more than twice as many antibiotics that should be prescribed was never a good thing it seems like
we're always hearing stories about kids being overprescribed but what makes this
one different well you know this really gives us numbers absolutely we know antibiotics is overprescribed this gives
us really a sense of how significant the you know the the problem is why is it happening you know the bottom line is
it's actually very difficult to tell whether or not an infection is caused by a bacteria or a virus it's an imperfect
science so in the office we have a few tests we can use for instance for sore throats we have a strep culture or a
swab that can give a sort of a scientific answer but most of the time doctors we have to take an educated
guess we look at how severe the symptoms are how long they've lasted um and we do
some physical exam in the office and we basically have to guess this study is suggesting that sometimes at least half
the time we guess wrong right and a reminder about how harmful antibiotics can be in the long term this
overprescription of them absolutely you know that's really the main reason we're
seeing the emergence of super bugs these are uh bacteria that are resistant to all antibiotics kids can also have just
common adverse reactions it's nausea stomach upset severe allergic reactions antibiotics really are not completely
benign drugs thank you Dr Holly Phillips sure thank you

The American Academy of Pediatrics says antibiotics are being prescribed twice as often as they should for children with respiratory infections. Dr. Holly Phillips joins "CBS This Morning to discuss the estimated 11.4 million unnecessary yearly prescriptions.

Brief Summary

Millions of children are overprescribed antibiotics for respiratory infections, leading to health risks and superbugs.

Key points

Overprescription of Antibiotics. A new study reveals millions of children are prescribed unnecessary antibiotics each year.
The Challenge of Diagnosis. Determining if an infection is viral or bacterial is often difficult for doctors.

Episode highlights

The Challenge of DiagnosisDetermining if an infection is viral or bacterial is often difficult for doctors.“It's actually very difficult to tell whether or not an infection is caused by a bacteria or a virus.”1:11Sep 15, 2014

Episode quotes

We're always hearing stories about kids being overprescribed.

Discussing the overprescription of antibiotics to children.

0:56WatchSep 15, 2014

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