This week (18 – 24 November) is World Antimicrobial Awareness Week. As resistance continues to grow to a wider range of medicines, the focus of this campaign has broadened from just antibiotics to include all antimicrobials, including antiviral, antifungal and antiprotozoal medicines. The theme for World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2020 for the human health sector is “United to preserve antimicrobials.”

In honor of this week, I repeat a post I had made on this issue a while back, in response to a question.

Q: Good evening doctor. I am highly impressed with your assistance. Please doc, can one use double antibiotic at the same time?

A: The way you asked this question makes me suspect already that perhaps you are making this prescription by yourself or perhaps you approached ‘Dr Lagbaja’ who owns the chemist shop at the corner to mix some drugs for you. Both practices are dangerous. You should…