Ecology of the Use of Antimicrobial Drugs

The first true antimicrobial drugs were introduced in 1935 (sulphonamides) and 1942 (penicillin). Since then, hundreds of new antimicrobials have been launched into the market. Most antibiotics are prescribed in outpatient care. Some 80% of the antimicrobials used in outpatient care are prescribed for the treatment of respiratory tract infections, e.g otitis media and sinusitis.