This newspaper yesterday carried a report in which it was disclosed that Maltese are among the most likely within the European Union to use antibiotics.

What is even worse is that Maltese people will even take antibiotics for flu, when flu is a virus and antibiotics have no effect whatsoever on a virus. What it does do, however, is lower the effect of antibiotics on the body in the future.

It is no coincidence that the figures of Malta are close to those of Italy and other southern European nations. In short, we are a bunch of hypochondriacs and the possibility of falling ill terrifies us so much that we will resort to popping pills for any given reason under the sun.

Of course, this ties in with our still high recourse to sick leave in Malta. We must be one of the only countries in the world where people will call in sick when they have got up too quickly and had a funny turn (aside from the abuse of course).

The report – Antimicrobial Resistance – shows that 55 per cent of Maltese have taken antibiotics within the last 12 months and a staggering 26 per cent of people took them to treat flu. Moreover, the report establishes that only 16 per cent of Maltese will get the information about drugs from a doctor. This is a recipe for disaster. If one reads between the lines, Maltese people “self-teach” when it comes to taking antibiotics and they will take them at any given opportunity.

While this is dangerous because it reduces the effectiveness of antibiotics in the long-run, it is also dangerous because one is literally putting chemicals into his body which alters the way it ‘works’.

It is quite an odd state of affairs given that Maltese family doctors are known to be very trusted and are always available for house calls, or sessions at the local pharmacy where anyone can get the advice which they need.

But as we have mentioned, this all ties in to the Maltese psyche – we know best, and we will do anything to stave off a cold. Although it is 2010, in Malta most people still believe that you can catch a cold from standing in a draught, drinking cold drinks, and getting out of the shower when not fully dried. It really is bizarre when one thinks about it. Many still believe that we are more susceptible to illness in the colder months because our bodies are weaker – as are our immune systems. This is not at all the case – we get ill more in the winter because we are all couped up indoors and there is more chance of illness spreading, not because of a draught or a cold drink.

The authorities concerned really ought to embark on an awareness campaign. If this report is accurate, then it seems that Maltese people will just take antibiotics at any given opportunity and this will make us weaker as a people in the future. The Health Authorities need to press on the fact that Maltese doctors are available to all and sundry and that people should only take drugs and antibiotics on a doctor’s advice. One wonders how many people hoard antibiotics from previous prescriptions and then take them when they think it is warranted. This is not an issue which should be taken lightly.