TY - JOUR T1 - A local public campaign reduces outpatient antibiotic prescribing in Italy JF - Evidence Based Nursing JO - Evid Based Nurs SP - 27 LP - 27 DO - 10.1136/eb-2013-101628 VL - 18 IS - 1 AU - Nick Francis Y1 - 2015/01/01 UR - http://ebn.bmj.com/content/18/1/27.abstract N2 - Commentary on: Formoso G, Paltrinieri B, Marata AM, et al. Feasibility and effectiveness of a low cost campaign on antibiotic prescribing in Italy: community level, controlled, non-randomised trial. BMJ 2013;347:f5391.OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text Public health campaigns can reduce antibiotic prescribing, although the effect is likely to be mediated primarily through changes in clinician behaviour rather than patient-consulting behaviour or expectations for antibiotics. More research is needed on the key components of antimicrobial stewardship activities: the effects on antimicrobial resistance, the cost-effectiveness and the sustainability of effect. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an important and growing international health threat.1 Exposure to antibiotics is the primary driver of AMR; therefore, efforts to tackle this problem commonly focus on reducing unnecessary prescribing. Most antibiotic prescribing occurs in primary care, and the majority of prescribing is for respiratory tract … ER -