The discovery of antimicrobial drugs has significantly improved medicine, but also humanity. But the misuse of antibiotics, primarily for human health purposes, has contributed to the development of antimicrobial resistance. It was thought that bacterial resistance would not be a problem because the pharmaceutical industry would constantly produce new antibiotics, but today we know that this is not the case and that we must preserve the effectiveness of the available antibiotics. The increase in the number of multidrug-resistant bacteria, along with the lack of new antibiotics, is a global threat to public health. The main reason, though not the only, for the spread of antimicrobial resistance is the excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics for human health purposes. Knowledge and conscientiousness of health professionals have a major impact on antibiotic prescribing. While the knowledge, attitude and beliefs of the general population directly influence habits when using antibiotics. The research is based on a survey of the general population and provides insight into whether antibiotics are prescribed and used rationally in the Republic of Croatia. There are significant drawbacks when prescribing and using antibiotics. Some of the examples are unnecessary prescribing, especially for the treatment of respiratory tract infections, which are, most commonly, of viral etiology. Followed by prescribing of antibiotics without evidence of infectious agents based on microbiological analysis. The most common shortcomings in the use of antibiotics are neglect of taking one or more doses of antibiotics and premature cessation of therapy. The incidence of gastrointestinal side effects is low and the general population is aware of the beneficial effect of probiotics. Pharmacists, as drug dispensers, play a major role in providing instructions on the use of antibiotics and probiotics to the general population. A small but significant part of the population had an infection caused by resistant bacteria. Part states that the cause of this was hospital treatment and intravenous antibiotic therapy, and the other part states that the infection was preceded by more frequent use of antibiotics. The majority of the general population is not familiar with the meaning and significance of antimicrobial resistance. It is necessary to start educating the population, of all ages, as soon as possible about the necessity of rational use of antibiotics and the threat of antimicrobial resistance. Every individual contributes to solving this problem, from health professionals to the general population. It is important to explain to the population that antibiotics are drugs that, when used by an individual, have an effect on the whole community.