2024-11-06 19:43:00
Antibiotic consumption fell in France in 2023 in community medicine after two years of recovery, health authorities announced on Wednesday 6 November, calling for continued efforts to reduce their still excessive use.
“After two consecutive years marked by an increase in the use of antibiotics, the 2023 data fits into the trend of moderate but constant decline observed before the Covid-19 pandemic, starting from 2013”according to an annual study by Public Health France (SPF) based on social security reimbursement data.
This development is perceptible in prescriptions (820.6 per 1,000 inhabitants in the year, or -0.2% compared to 2022) and in consumption (-3.3% in one year of daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants).
After a downward trend lasting several years and a decline in antibiotic consumption at the beginning of the Covid pandemic, a recovery appeared in 2021 which 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”Dr. Caroline Semaille, director general of French public health, commented in a press release, insisting on the need to “better awareness”.
Bad student
France remains one of the worst performing countries in Europe, ranking fifth among the countries with the highest consumption of antibiotics per capita. And disparities in the prescribing and use of these treatments remain “strong depending on age, sex and territories”the health agency noted.
2023 therefore marked a decrease among children under 5 years old – with prescriptions also slightly lower than the 2019 level -, a stabilization among 15-64 year olds and an increase among those over 65 year olds. Consumption also remained generally higher among women than among men and in some regions, such as Corsica and PACA.
If general practitioners, from whom the vast majority of antibiotic prescriptions come, reduced their prescriptions in 2023 (– 1.3%), specialists (+ 4.6%) and dentists (+ 4%) they made greater use of these treatments only in 2022.
Three families of antibiotics, amoxicillin, combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, and macrolides, were the most commonly administered. Reducing the consumption of antibiotics is a goal of health authorities around the world, mainly to slow the emergence of increasingly resistant bacteria.
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From November 18, Public Health France will rebroadcast the campaign “Antibiotics, taking care of yourself means first using them well”to underline that their use, on medical advice, is only useful in the case of bacterial, not viral, infections.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Dr. Caroline Semaille, General Director of French Public Health
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Semaille. The recent report showing a decline in antibiotic consumption in France is certainly notable. Can you give us a brief overview of what the data reveals?
Dr. Caroline Semaille: Thank you for having me. Yes, the latest data indicates a slight but encouraging decline in antibiotic prescriptions and consumption in France. Specifically, we saw a decrease of 0.2% in prescriptions per 1,000 inhabitants and a 3.3% drop in daily doses over the past year. This marks a return to a trend we observed prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, following an increase in antibiotic use during the recovery years of 2021 and 2022.
Time.news Editor: After two years of rising prescriptions, what do you attribute this decline to?
Dr. Caroline Semaille: There are a couple of factors at play. Increased awareness among both healthcare professionals and the public about the risks associated with antibiotic misuse likely contributes to this trend. Our ongoing campaigns to promote responsible prescribing practices and public education about antibiotic resistance are also crucial. Despite the improvement, we must acknowledge that we are still quite far from our target of fewer than 650 prescriptions per 1,000 inhabitants annually.
Time.news Editor: France’s ranking as one of the higher consumers of antibiotics in Europe is concerning. What steps are being taken to address this?
Dr. Caroline Semaille: Indeed, France ranks fifth in per capita antibiotic consumption in Europe. This stark reality highlights the need for sustained efforts. We are working to standardize prescribing practices across regions and demographics while also targeting specific groups where antibiotic use remains disproportionately high, such as certain age groups and in regions like Corsica and PACA.
Time.news Editor: Can you elaborate on some of the disparities in antibiotic use you mentioned?
Dr. Caroline Semaille: Certainly. The data indicates significant variability in antibiotic prescriptions based on age, sex, and geographic location. For instance, we observed a decrease in prescriptions among children under five, while older adults showed an increase. Additionally, women tend to consume antibiotics at higher rates than men. These disparities are essential to address as they pinpoint areas where targeted interventions can be most effective.
Time.news Editor: It seems like general practitioners have reduced prescriptions, whereas specialists and dentists have increased their usage of antibiotics. What do you think is contributing to this?
Dr. Caroline Semaille: This is a complex issue. Specialists and dentists may have different clinical practices that lead to increased antibiotic usage, particularly for specific conditions. However, this creates an opportunity for us to engage with these practitioners, emphasizing the importance of antibiotic stewardship across all medical fields. A collaborative approach is vital in fostering consistency in prescribing practices.
Time.news Editor: what message would you like to convey to the public regarding antibiotic use?
Dr. Caroline Semaille: I want to stress the importance of using antibiotics responsibly. Misuse not only affects individual health but also contributes significantly to antibiotic resistance, which is a global health crisis. I encourage everyone to consult with healthcare professionals before taking antibiotics and to follow their guidance closely. Together, we can make strides toward responsible antibiotic use.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Semaille, for shedding light on this critical issue. Your insights are invaluable in helping us understand the current landscape of antibiotic use in France.
Dr. Caroline Semaille: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important topic. Collaboration and education are key to making meaningful progress.
Time.news Editor: Indeed! We look forward to seeing how these efforts evolve in the coming years.