Combatting antibiotic resistance

Evidence from primary care shows compellingly that C-reactive protein (CRP) point of care testing reduces antibiotic use for patients with respiratory tract infections and infectious exacerbations of COPD. In the Netherlands, where CRP point of care testing is standard, there are fewer antibiotic prescriptions for respiratory tract infections than any other European country.

In response to this evidence, and further studies on antibacterial prescribing, the Primary Care Respiratory Society has recently published new guidance to help all primary care teams implement point of care CRP testing (https://www.pcrs-uk.org/resource/crp-point-care-testing).

I am proud to have contributed to the new advice, which I hope will result in CRP testing being made standard practice in NHS settings nationwide.