24/7 LivePhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaNew JerseyDelaware
  • healthcheck

Study shows 23-percent of antibiotics are improperly prescribed

WPVI logo
Sunday, January 20, 2019
Study shows 23-percent of antibiotics are improperly prescribed

A recent study shows that one in four U.S. antibiotics may be improperly prescribed.

The analysis was published in the journal BMJ.

Researchers found that 23-percent of antibiotics prescribed in the year 2016 were "inappropriate" use of the medications.

The three conditions that most commonly led to inaccurate prescriptions were colds, coughs and chest infections.

------

Send a News Tip to Action News
Learn More About 6abc Apps

Report a correction or typo
Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Related Topics

  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • HEALTHCHECK
  • ANTIBIOTICS

Healthcheck

'Get off your phones': HHS advisory calls on kids to cut screen time

    American Cancer Society backs big change in cervical cancer screenings

      Stopping uncontrolled hand tremors without surgery

        New self-collection for HPV testing giving women more private option

          Watch Live
          ON NOW

          Top Stories

          2 ejected after boat crashes into channel marker in Barnegat Bay

          • 2 hours ago

          AccuWeather: Warm and humid with breaks of sun on Tuesday

          • 2 hours ago

          Man walking home from work brutally attacked, robbed in South Philly

          Police increase enforcement against pop-up parties in Wildwood, NJ

          Protesters clash with ICE agents outside NJ detention center

          Sonny Rollins, saxophonist and restless genius of jazz, dead at 95

          • 2 hours ago

          Man arrested after woman stabbed multiple times in Allentown

          • 2 hours ago

          Woman killed by patio umbrella at restaurant

          6abc Philadelphia
          Topics
          HomeWeatherTrafficWatchPhotosApps
          Regions
          PhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaNew JerseyDelaware
          More Content
          InvestigationTroubleshootersConsumerHealthcheckOverheardLinks from Action NewsArt of Aging
          6abc
          About 6abc/Contact Us!Action News Biographies6abc Contests & PromotionsTV ListingsAccessibilityEmploymentCommunityHelp With An Antenna
          Privacy Policy
          Your Privacy Choices
          Children's Privacy Policy
          Your US State Privacy Rights
          Terms of Use
          Interest-Based Ads
          Public Inspection File
          FCC Applications
          Copyright © 2026 ABC, Inc., WPVI-TV Philadelphia. All Rights Reserved.