The issue of antibiotic resistance is a growing concern for many health professionals. Some health professionals are comparing it to the likes of the opioid epidemic.
Dr. Scott Micek, of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, says roughly 23,000 patients die each year due to antibiotic resistance in the U.S. and most of those deaths happen in the hospital.
“That’s where the 23,000 deaths come into play. Generally those patients are seen, but they’ve got their first antibiotic or the second antibiotic, it doesn’t work. By the time they get to the third antibiotic, it could be too late.” Micek says.
Health professionals say knowing your prescription history, even for just a couple of months, is one of the best ways to keep yourself safe.