There's growing calls from experts to reduce New Zealand's dangerously high use of antibiotics.

The Public Health Communication Centre says the nation has some of the highest rates of antibiotic resistance, which makes bacterial infections difficult to treat.

It's urging the Ministry of Health and College of Practitioners to set targets to reduce the unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics.

Auckland University's Mark Thomas says GPs and patients alike feel more pressure to utilise antibiotics, despite increased awareness surrounding the risks. 

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