Antibiotics - They’re amazing, but they don’t work on viral infections like the cold and flu
New York, NY
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December 26, 2023 10:39 AM Eastern Standard Time
As consumers struggle to navigate yet another heavy-hitting cold and flu season, it is important to uncover the misconceptions surrounding the alarming overuse of antibiotics, especially the misuse in treating viral infections like the common cold and flu. Recently, Dr. Ken Redcross, conducted a satellite media tour to share tips and advice on how to safely and effectively manage cold or flu symptoms.
A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/0aIOL11vnss
Every year, approximately 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur and 35,000 people in the US die from Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), a global health emergency caused by common misconceptions about the effectiveness of antibiotics in treating cold and flu symptoms, which over time can lead to rampant antibiotic overuse and antibiotic resistance.
To raise awareness of this global health crisis and help fight these misconceptions, Mucinex – a brand made by Reckitt which clears the way for people to make powerful comebacks from sickness with its line of over-the-counter cold and flu medications – is launching its new “Flip the Script” campaign. This multi-pronged initiative aims to educate consumers about the widespread inappropriate use of antibiotics currently plaguing the U.S. and the world at large.
The brand will partner with Urgent and Primary Care Centers to help address this issue. There’s a reason for that: 7 in 10 Urgent Care Center patients ask their doctor for an antibiotic and 45.7% of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for Respiratory diagnoses were from Urgent Care centers . That’s why Mucinex plans to roll out signage and educational materials at Urgent and Primary Care Centers, as well as a series of educational videos and audio PSAs online, which clearly explain why OTC products like Mucinex – not antibiotics – are still the best option for treating cold and flu symptoms.
Antibiotic Resistance caused partly by this misuse of antibiotics is a leading cause of death worldwide. This misuse stems largely from two common and incorrect misconceptions: that antibiotics are the best line of defense against cold and flu symptoms and that antibiotics are essential when cold and flu symptoms last longer than two or three days.
Mucinex’s partnership with Urgent and Primary Care Centers throughout the nation will focus on states that have a high index of certain AMR strains and antibiotic prescriptions per population.
How can consumers Flip the Script? Those who visit participating urgent care centers will find educational materials about antibiotic resistance, urging them to reach out to their physician when feeling unwell so that the proper treatment can be prescribed. Should the physician recommend an over-the-counter medication, they can share a “prescription” with the patient—an informative flipped brochure about antibiotics vs. OTC medication — that includes a Mucinex coupon, making it simpler to relieve your worst cold and flu symptoms at any time, day or night.
For more information on the campaign and real-life examples of people struggling with the effects of AMR, visit the “Flip the Script” landing page on the Mucinex website at Mucinexfight.com.
For more information on Mucinex, visit www.Mucinex.com.
ABOUT: Dr. Ken Redcross, M.D.
Dr. Redcross is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician. His expertise is capturing how to best provide the ultimate patient experience for those frustrated with the deterioration of the patient-doctor relationship. His concierge approach has led to the development of an impressive following of patients from the entertainment industry, sports world and business leaders spanning from Los Angeles to New York City.
Dr. Redcross has reached tens of millions of people through media appearances including The Doctors, Entertainment Tonight and the Nancy Grace Show. He has been a medical expert for CNN Travel appeared regularly on HLN Weekend Express and has contributed articles for and digital health and wellness companies, including Everyday Health.
Dr. Redcross has worked with a diverse group of patients, spanning from the elderly to migrant farm workers, to patients battling heroin addiction. He participated in fellowships in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, contributing to his proficiency in Spanish. In 2001, Dr. Redcross completed his medical training at the prestigious Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, followed by providing care in rural Oxnard, CA and finally transitioning to the renowned Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills. Following his year of accumulated training and experience, he created his Concierge practice in 2007, and established his wellness company, Ken Redcross Communications, Inc.
As an author, Dr. Redcross shares his nearly 20 years of experience in his book, Bond: The 4 Cornerstones of a Lasting and Caring Relationship with Your Doctor, where he highlights the four cornerstone qualities essential to creating a life-long patient-doctor bond. Bond was the Amazon Number One New Release in Medicine & Psychology. Among his many honors, Dr. Redcross received the Man of Valor Award from NAACP Youth Council for excellence in medicine and most recently, was named a Top 25 Concierge Physician in the U.S.
Embracing both natural and alternative methods of healing in his practice, Dr. Redcross received the honor of being selected Educator of the Year by the Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ). He firmly believes that proactive treatment is the goal, and if medical challenges arise, they should be met with support through the creation of a health strategy. With the correct balance of nutrition, movement, and spirituality we can live our best life experience.
Currently, Dr. Redcross focuses on utilizing the BOND program to consult for health networks and companies to provide their customers with better outcomes while serving as an advocate, educating, empowering, and offering peace of mind to patients and their families.
About Reckitt
Reckitt* exists to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. We believe that access to the highest-quality hygiene, wellness and nourishment is a right, not a privilege.
Reckitt is the company behind some of the world's most recognizable and trusted consumer brands in hygiene, health and nutrition, including Air Wick, Calgon, Cillit Bang, Clearasil, Dettol, Durex, Enfamil, Finish, Gaviscon, Harpic, Lysol, Mortein, Mucinex, Nurofen, Nutramigen, Strepsils, Vanish, Veet, Woolite and more.
Every day, more than 30 million Reckitt products are bought globally. We always put consumers and people first, seek out new opportunities, strive for excellence in all that we do and build shared success with all our partners. We aim to do the right thing, always.
We are a diverse global team of c. 40,000 colleagues. We draw on our collective energy to meet our ambitions of purpose-led brands, a healthier planet and a fairer society. Find out more, or get in touch with us at www.reckitt.com/us.
* Reckitt is the trading name of the Reckitt Benckiser group of companies
[1] The Lancet Journal – Global Burden of Bacterial Antibiotic Resistance in 2019
[2] CDC 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report
[3] 2022 Mucinex Urgent Care Patient Study
[4] 2018 JAMA report - Overprescription in Urgent Care Clinics
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