The latest research from the University of Southampton has confirmed that Amoxicillin, the most widely prescribed to treat coughs and common chest infections, is useless in these cases. They recommend that paracetamol or ibuprofen be taken and patients should wait to get better. GPs are advised to stop prescribing the drug in most cases to prevent side effects and stem the rise of superbugs which are resistant to antibiotics. This is the reason that antibiotics are prescription only medicines in the U.K. The pharmacists in London filmed by the BBC to be selling antibiotics were acting irresponsibly and illegally. Unfortunately other countries have not been as determined about this and antibiotics can be purchased in some countries without a doctors prescription. The Department of Health state" The more you use an antibiotic, the more bacteria become resistant to it " it may reach a stage in the future where no antibiotic is available that works in serious and life threatening diseases. If you are worried or need any advice about how to treat common colds and coughs please speak to our pharmacists.