Public Health Requires Oversight by Physicians

“Fear Boosts Antibiotics Sales” (Oct. 11) quotes a local physician as saying he “prescribes small amounts of Cipro to patients to give them peace of mind. And for two patients who demanded 60-day supplies each, he prescribed a total of 360 pills.” As physicians, we are not obliged to accede to whatever patients demand. On the contrary, it is our duty to bring our best professional judgment and knowledge to bear on clinical situations. Sometimes we have to say “no.” Much of the Cipro now being recklessly prescribed will be wasted, reaching its expiration date unused in bathroom cabinets. This hoarding puts all of us at greater risk by causing shortages. The antibiotics that are inappropriately used will increase the incidence of resistant bacteria, which also damages the public’s health.

On its Web page ( https://www.labt.org ), the Los Angeles Department of Public Health states that “preventive antibiotics are not needed for anthrax, plague, or any other bioterrorist threat diseases, and public health officials strongly recommend against prescribing them.” All practicing physicians have a duty to follow these guidelines.

Daniel Temianka MD

Torrance