Ireland ranks third highest in the EU for antibiotic use.

A new Eurobarometer survey shows 44% of Irish people would have taken antibiotics in the last twelve months, behind Malta and Spain.

The EU average was 34%, while Sweden had the lowest at 18%.

Overall in the EU there is a drop 6% in the consumption of antibiotics, but there’s still a persistent lack of awareness on their effects or lack of effectiveness against viruses including colds and flu.