I fully support the paper “Can we stop the emergence of antibiotic resistance?” D.M. Patrick et al., BCMJ 2004;46(9):472-473. [10] Whilst doctors seem to be trying to comply, there is another side to the question.

Drug companies are constantly bombarding people on television and other advertising media to use antibiotic creams, lotions, etc. that can be readily purchased over the counter. This is surely contrary to the efforts of the BC and other disease control centres.

Is there a double standard here?

—Leslie G. Andrews, MB
Vancouver