Antibiotics warning issued

Most of these antibiotics are defined by Taiwan's National Health Insurance Plan as first-line drugs.

When infections caused by resistant microbes do not respond to first-line drugs, second- or third-line antibiotics are applied. But they often cost more and are sometimes more toxic.

"Increasing the use of the second- or third-line drugs risks spreading drug resistance to them too," said Chang Shan-chwen (張上淳), head of the department of infectious diseases at National Taiwan University Hospital.

The campaign will consist of advertisements, public information TV programs, distribution of pamphlets and posters to medical and educational institutions.