In Focus report - Antibiotic course duration for respiratory tract infection

This In Focus report includes supplementary information to that contained within the National Prescribing Indicators 2025–2026: Analysis of prescribing data to December 2025 report. It provides a more detailed picture of 5- and 7-day course duration prescribing for amoxicillin 500 mg capsules, doxycycline 100 mg capsules and clarithromycin 500 mg tablets across Wales. Antimicrobial stewardship is one of the NPI priority areas. The data in this report show 5-day course duration prescribing, as a percentage of 5- and 7-day course duration prescribing, for the last two years at a health board, primary care cluster and GP practice level. Additionally, it includes:

• The percentage of practices meeting the threshold and target achievements.
• Trends in 5-day, 7-day and other course duration prescribing by health board for each antibiotic.
• A comparison of changes in cost, quantity and spend for 2025 versus 2024.

(Published: May 2026)