According to a study published by the European Commission, only in Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden did not sell any antibiotic without prescription.

In another 7 countries (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom) without a prescription sales constitute less than 1% of the total.

In the case of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, sales ranging from 1% to 5%, although the European Commission clarifies that most of these countries are taking measures to stop these sales without prescription.

One of the most relevant data from the Spanish use these drugs to combat colds, flu or headache, but are ineffective against these diseases and can generate resistance.

53% say they have taken antibiotics during the past year, a percentage exceeded only in Italy (57%) and Maltese (55%). The EU average in this case stands at 40%, while Swedish, Slovenian and German no less than 30%. Still, the Spanish are much more aware of the problem of overuse of antibiotics than the average Europeans.

And is that 51% of respondents say they have received information during the past year about the risks of taking these drugs, compared with 37% of EU average.