Three in five adults aged under 35 believe antibiotics will treat their sore throat, a new global study has found.

The sore throat and antibiotic resistance (STAR study), which was commissioned by Strepsils manufacturer Reckitt and the Global Respiratory Infection Partnership, identified a “high dependence on antibiotics for treating respiratory conditions like sore throat,” helping to fuel antibiotic resistance worldwide. 

The study also found that 45 per cent of under-35s don’t know how to treat respiratory conditions without antibiotics, while 38 per cent would feel anxious if they were treated for a respiratory condition without antibiotics. 

Over half of the adults surveyed had taken antibiotics for a respiratory condition in the past six months.

Professor Sabiha Essack, chair of the Reckitt-backed antibiotics misuse educational initiative GRIP, commented: “The results of this study are of concern as young people – our leaders and workforce of the future – incorrectly believe that antibiotics work for all sore throats and colds and may be unaware of the consequences of inappropriate antibiotic use on a personal and public health level.”

She commented on the “vital role that pharmacists play in educating the public on appropriate antibiotic use,” citing a previous GRIP survey which found that 85 per cent of pharmacists believe they should play an active role in tackling antimicrobial resistance.