UAE doctors urge residents to avoid self-prescribed antibiotics as flu season intensifies, citing rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
According to reports, clinics are seeing a familiar pattern: patients arriving with fever, cough, and fatigue, and some who have already taken antibiotics on their own, hoping to recover faster.
Healthcare professionals say this behavior, particularly common among expatriate communities, is undermining efforts to control antibiotic resistance.
To address the issue, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), together with the National Committee of AMR, organized awareness walks earlier to mark World Antibiotic Awareness Week under the theme “Fight Superbugs.” The initiative aims to promote responsible antibiotic use across the public, healthcare providers, and policymakers.
Doctors in the UAE have repeatedly warned that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a serious threat to public health and development. Resistance is already making it harder to treat common infections.
When asked whether antibiotics are being prescribed more often than necessary, Dr. Igbal Mubarak Sirag, Specialist in Internal Medicine at NMC Royal Hospital in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, said the problem exists both globally and in the UAE.
“Many studies and health reports show that antibiotics are frequently prescribed when they aren’t medically needed, especially for viral illnesses like colds and most cases of flu or sore throat,” she said.
Dr. Sirag pointed to research showing that in outpatient settings, up to 30 percent of antibiotic prescriptions may be inappropriate. These prescriptions are often driven by respiratory symptoms without confirmed bacterial infection.
She also noted that local surveys reveal widespread self-medication and a common belief that antibiotics work against viral infections. Nearly half of the respondents reported using antibiotics without professional medical advice.
She explained that common misuse includes taking antibiotics for cold or flu symptoms, using them pre-emptively for sore throats or earaches, or relying on past experiences instead of seeking updated medical guidance.
Dr. Rania Alkhani, Pharmacy Manager at International Modern Hospital, said similar patterns are seen across expat-heavy regions, including the Gulf.
She also described what doctors call the “travel medicine cabinet” effect, where people keep antibiotics from previous trips or from their home countries and use them to avoid clinic visits or due to time pressure.
Dr. Sirag stressed that antibiotics do not help viral infections and can cause side effects such as rashes, stomach problems, and allergic reactions. Incorrect use also allows resistant bacteria to develop inside the body, making future infections more difficult to treat.
At the community level, antimicrobial resistance is now considered one of the world’s top health threats. It leads to longer illnesses, higher hospitalization rates, more expensive treatments, and rising death tolls worldwide.
Dr. Mohamed Mustafa Elsheikh, Consultant in Internal Medicine at Burjeel Medical Center in Al Falah said healthcare facilities are strengthening antibiotic stewardship programs through prescribing guidelines, regular audits, and staff education. He added that rapid diagnostic tests are helping doctors prescribe antibiotics only when truly needed.
However, doctors emphasize that patients also have a critical role to play. “Antibiotics should be taken exactly as prescribed, the full course must be completed, and leftover medication should never be shared,” Dr. Elsheikh said. “Public awareness and patient education are essential to reducing misuse.”