THE ESSENTIAL
- Antibiotic resistance, caused by the adaptation of bacteria to antibiotics, represents a global public health crisis. In France, the fifth country with the highest consumption of antibiotics in Europe, it causes 25,000 deaths per year and costs 1.5 billion euros.
- The data on antibiotic resistance are worrying: in France, in 2023, 13.5% of Escherichia coli bacteria, responsible for many urinary infections, had become resistant to fluoroquinolones, a key antibiotic.
- To preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics, it is crucial to follow medical prescriptions, return leftover medications to the pharmacy and prevent infections through hygiene, vaccination and simple actions.
The issue of the growing ineffectiveness of antibiotics, which seemed unimaginable a few decades ago, is today at the heart of a global public health crisis. Antibiotic resistance, or antibiotic resistance, threatens to push humanity into an era where common infections become deadly again. Each year in France, it is responsible for 25,000 deaths and costs the economy nearly 1.5 billion euros. So, how can we act to preserve the value of these precious treatments?
On the occasion of the global awareness week for the proper use of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance, which took place from November 18 to 24, 2024, the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) published a document entitled “Preventing antibiotic resistance: a ‘One Health’ approach” (One Health). This 35-page summary highlights the dynamic undertaken in France to prevent antibiotic resistance with an approach “integrating human, animal and environmental health”.
Antibiotic resistance, a very real threat
When bacteria adapt to escape the action of antibiotics, they become resistant. This phenomenon, amplified by excessive or inappropriate use of antibiotics, complicates treatments, lengthens hospitalizations and, sometimes, makes infections incurable. France is today the fifth country with the highest consumption of antibiotics in Europe. Although consumption decreased in 2023, according to trends observed before the Covid-19 pandemic, it remains high compared to other European states.
Antibiotic resistance data in the country are worrying: in 2023, 13.5% of bacteria Escherichia coliresponsible for many urinary infections, had become resistant to fluoroquinolones, a key antibiotic. Same problem with the Staphylococcus aureus methicillin-resistant (MRSA) andEnterococcus faecium to vancomycin, bacteria common in healthcare-associated infections.
The right actions to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics
Since November 18, Public Health France, the Ministry of Health and Health Insurance have been rebroadcasting the prevention campaign “Antibiotics: taking good care of yourself means first using them well”with the aim of raising awareness of their proper use and avoiding their overconsumption. Not everyone knows, for example, that antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections and have no effect on infections caused by viruses.
Here are the right actions to follow to use antibiotics correctly and prevent this phenomenon of antibiotic resistance:
– Strictly follow the instructions. An antibiotic does not self-medicate and does not treat viruses. If prescribed, follow the indicated dose, duration and times of intake. Stopping treatment prematurely can leave surviving bacteria, more likely to develop resistance.
– Return unused medications. Don’t keep antibiotics “just in case.” Take leftovers to your pharmacist, via the Cyclamed network, to avoid their misuse or environmental impact.
– Prevent infections. Each infection avoided is an antibiotic preserved. Adopt simple actions: wash your hands frequently and carefully, respect food hygiene rules (storage and cooking), wear a mask in case of symptoms of cough or fever, follow recommended vaccinations to avoid certain bacterial infections.
