2024-11-06 19:43:00
Medicines including antibiotics in a pharmacy in France. Illustrative photo. PASCAL DELOCHE / GODONG / PHOTONONSTOP
The consumption of antibiotics has declined in France in 2023 in community medicine after two years of rebound, health authorities announced on Wednesday, November 6, calling for continued efforts to reduce still excessive use.
“After two consecutive years marked by an increase in the use of antibiotics, the 2023 figures are part of the trend of moderate but constant decline observed before the Covid-19 pandemic, since 2013”according to an annual study by Public Health France (SPF) based on data on Social Security reimbursements.
This development is perceptible in prescriptions (820.6 per 1,000 inhabitants in the year, i.e. – 0.2% compared to 2022) and in consumption (- 3.3% over one year of daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants ).
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After a downward trend for several years and a fall in antibiotic consumption at the start of the Covid pandemic, a recovery appeared in 2021 and intensified in 2022. If the decline in 2023 is “an encouraging sign”France is “still far from the target objective of less than 650 prescriptions per 1,000 inhabitants per year”commented Dr Caroline Semaille, Director General of Public Health France, quoted in a press release, insisting on the need to always “better awareness”.
Bad student
France remains one of the worst performers in Europe, fifth among the countries with the highest consumption of antibiotics per capita. And the disparities in prescriptions and use of these treatments remain there “strong depending on age, sex and territories”noted the health agency.
2023 thus marked a decrease among children under 5 years old – with prescriptions even slightly lower than the 2019 level –, a stabilization among 15-64 year olds and an increase among those over 65 years old. Consumption also remained generally higher among women than among men and in certain regions, such as Corsica and PACA.
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If general practitioners, the source of the overwhelming majority of antibiotic prescriptions, reduced their prescriptions in 2023 (– 1.3%), specialists (+ 4.6%) and dentists (+ 4%) had more use of these treatments only in 2022.
Three families of antibiotics, amoxicillin, the combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, macrolides, were the most administered. Reducing the consumption of antibiotics is an objective of health authorities around the world, mainly to curb the appearance of increasingly resistant bacteria.
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From November 18, Public Health France will rebroadcast the campaign “Antibiotics, taking good care of yourself means first using them well”to emphasize that their use, on medical advice, is only useful in cases of bacterial infections, not viral ones.
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**Interview with Dr. Caroline Semaille, Director General of Public Health France**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Semaille. Recent figures show a decline in antibiotic consumption in France during 2023. What do these trends indicate for the future of antibiotic resistance in the country?
**Dr. Semaille:** Thank you for having me. The decline in antibiotic prescriptions and consumption is indeed encouraging. It suggests that our efforts over the past few years to raise awareness about responsible antibiotic use are starting to bear fruit. However, we must remember that while the figures are moving in the right direction, we are still far from meeting our target of fewer than 650 prescriptions per 1,000 inhabitants per year.
**Editor:** You mentioned the previous rebound in antibiotic prescriptions during the pandemic. Can you elaborate on the factors that led to this increase?
**Dr. Semaille:** Certainly. During the Covid-19 pandemic, there was a significant shift in healthcare practices. Many patients turned to antibiotics for various ailments, sometimes without proper diagnoses, leading to an increase in prescriptions. This increased stress on our healthcare system also contributed to a resurgence in antibiotics use as healthcare providers sought to manage various conditions.
**Editor:** France is still one of the highest consumers of antibiotics in Europe. What are the underlying reasons for this high consumption rate, and how does it vary across demographics?
**Dr. Semaille:** There are several reasons for our high consumption rate. Cultural attitudes toward antibiotics, accessibility, and the availability of general practitioners all play a role. Additionally, we see notable disparities based on age, sex, and geography. For instance, we observed significant consumption among older populations, particularly those over 65, while younger children showed a decrease in prescriptions.
**Editor:** You mentioned awareness campaigns as part of the strategy to reduce antibiotic use. How effective have these campaigns been, and what further steps are being taken to promote responsible use?
**Dr. Semaille:** Our campaigns have had a measurable effect, as evidenced by the recent decline in prescriptions. However, continuous effort is crucial. We are focusing on targeted education, particularly in regions with higher consumption rates, and working to improve healthcare provider training to ensure they can better inform patients about when antibiotics are truly necessary.
**Editor:** As you look ahead, what are the key priorities for Public Health France in tackling antibiotic resistance?
**Dr. Semaille:** Our main priorities include sustaining the downward trend in antibiotic prescriptions, refining our awareness campaigns, and enhancing the surveillance of antibiotic resistance patterns. We also aim to foster collaboration among healthcare providers, pharmacists, and patients to ensure everyone understands the implications of antibiotic misuse and the importance of adhering to prescribed treatments.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing these insights, Dr. Semaille. It’s clear that while progress is being made, there remains much work to be done in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
**Dr. Semaille:** Thank you for having me. It’s vital that we all work together to ensure a healthier future, free from the threats posed by antibiotic resistance.
