The European Parliament approved a resolution in which it demands a smarter use of antibiotics. Parliament also wants the European Commission and Member States to improve information to the public, around half of whom mistakenly believe that antibiotics can treat viruses or colds.

A resolution approved by MEPs makes non-binding recommendations for the EU and Member States on the use of antimicrobials. They request tighter control on the use of antimicrobials such as antibiotics, particularly when virtually untreatable “superbugs” claim the lives of around 25,000 people in the EU each year.

According to MEPs, the EU should also phase out the antibiotics pre-emptive "prophylactic" use when is already banned to boost animal growth. Active ingredients used in veterinary and human medicines should be kept as separate as possible to reduce risks of resistance transferring between animals and humans. They also asks to restrict agricultural use of so-called “last resort” antibiotics, to ensure these are prioritised for fighting the most resistant infections in human healthcare. In December 2010, the Official Journal published the list of reference laboratories in the feed and food control area with financial support. Among the laboratories, there already are researchers on antimicrobials.

Parliament also wants the European Commission and Member States to improve information to the public, around half of whom mistakenly believe that antibiotics can treat viruses or colds. Moreover, MEPs want the Commission to propose incentives to boost pharmaceutical research, which has produced few new antibiotics in recent decades.