Cartoon character to promote better antibiotic use
Moxy Malone features in a cartoon used on PCT leaflets |
Moxy Malone, a cartoon detective, is being used by primary care trusts in Tyne and Wear to educate patients about how antibiotics should be used correctly.
The character has been drawn by Steve Donald, one of the cartoonists
who works for the adult comic Viz. It is being used in a
series of advertisements on local public transport and radio stations
and in leaflets available from pharmacies and GP surgeries.
Anita Chalmers, prescribing adviser to South Tyneside PCT, explained
to The Journal that prescribing of antibiotics in north-east England
is above the level recommended by the Commission for Health Improvement.
The advertising campaign is aimed at getting patients to make fewer inappropriate
requests for antibiotics. It is being supported by a prescribing incentive
scheme for GPs.
As well as stressing that antibiotics do not work against colds, viral
sore throats and influenza, the campaign points out that antibiotics
are not harmless and side effects such as thrush, nausea, vomiting and
diarrhoea can be
experienced. Overuse of antibiotics is also leading to resistance.
The campaign will run for four weeks from 19 January in the Newcastle,
North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Gateshead, and Sunderland Teaching PCT
areas. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal