As global antimicrobial resistance awareness week approaches (November 18 to 24), Public Health France takes stock of antibiotic consumption in France.
“In 2023, antibiotic prescriptions in community medicine have stabilized (-0.2% compared to 2022), indicates the organization. According to an indicator expressed in defined daily doses (DDD) of antibiotics (per 1000 inhabitants), consumption fell by 3.3% compared to 2022. After 2 consecutive years marked by an increase in the use of antibiotics, the figures for 2023 is part of the trend of moderate but constant decline observed before the Covid pandemic, since 2013.”
An improvement over 20 years
“We all remember the slogan 'Antibiotics are not automatic', launched in 2002, notes Doctor Antoine Juhel, who practices on the Blue Coast. These awareness campaigns are important, with a real impact. We have also seen a clear improvement in the consumption of antibiotics over the past 20 years.”
A result also, according to him, due to better training of doctors. “There is a generational aspect, learning methods and science have evolved, explains the general practitioner. New doctors prescribe less. And if we remain a very prescriptive country, we have to see where we are starting from, from very far away.”
A measure that would reduce the quantity of antibiotics used and therefore antibiotic resistance would be “la prescription of tablets in the necessary quantity only, he details, to avoid surpluses, self-medication, losses… But this would require real political will.”
The health specialist also recalls that antibiotics are sometimes still necessary. “After Covid, we saw variations in epidemics requiring their recourse: bacterial tonsillitis, whooping cough, mycoplasma pneumonia, scarlet fever…”
More important prescriptions in Paca
Prescriptions and use of antibiotics differ depending on the age and sex of patients, but also the territories. Thus, the study observes a decrease in prescriptions intended for children under 5 years old, with a number now slightly lower than in 2019.
An overall higher consumption is observed among women. In 2023, 56.2% of antibiotic consumption in defined daily doses and 59.1% of prescriptions concerned women, while the share of women in the population was 51.7%. There is also an increase in consumption among people aged over 65.
And, finally, a strong regional disparity emerges, notably with greater consumption and prescriptions in the Corsica and Paca regions. “I have difficulty explaining these disparities, concedes Antoine Juhel. This may be due to the fact that the region has a large number of specialists, who attract patients from outside Paca, and perhaps it is also due to the significant tourist numbers.”
Evolution of prescriptions according to professionals
While antibiotic prescriptions from general practitioners decreased by 1.3%, those from dentists and specialist doctors increased by 1.4% and 4.6% respectively. Regarding dental surgeons, their prescriptions have increased since 2013 (+0.7% per year on average) and, despite the drop observed in 2020, in 2023 they exceeded the level reached in 2019.
A prevention campaign in mid-November
In 2022, France remained the 5th country with the highest consumption of antibiotics in Europe. “Also, it is essential to continue educational efforts among health professionals and patients to encourage the proper use of antibiotics and thus slow the development of resistant bacteria. underlines Public Health France. Which is joining forces with the Ministry of Health and Access to Care and Health Insurance in the prevention campaign broadcast from November 18, “Antibiotics: taking good care of yourself means first using them well.”
A necessary message when we know that more than 39 million people around the world risk dying directly from antibiotic-resistant bacteria by 2050, according to a study published last September.
“The decline in prescriptions and consumption of antibiotics in 2023 in France is an encouraging sign. However, we are still far from the target objective of less than 650 prescriptions per 1,000 inhabitants per year,” concludes Dr Caroline Semaille, Director General of Public Health France.
To find out more about infections and antibiotics: www.antibiomalin.fr
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