On the occasion of World Antibiotic Awareness Week, the Institute for Patients' Rights and Health Education, together with the We Patients Foundation, joined in an educational campaign on the rational use of antibiotics.
Overuse and misuse of antibiotics is one of the main causes of the growing phenomenon of antibiotic resistance. Two million people a year die worldwide from infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and by 2050. - if the situation remains unchanged - there will be 10 million deaths a year due to this.
The misuse of antibiotics leads to the build-up of drug-resistant microorganisms, and respiratory infections are the predominant cause of such misuse, as antibiotic therapy is not indicated in the vast majority of them.
In 2022, Poland is among the top 10 OECD countries with the highest antibiotic use. The average for OECD countries is 17 doses of antibiotics per 1 000 inhabitants per day. Poland is above this average with 22 doses, placing it 7th on this list.
SITUATION - WORLD
- Overuse and misuse of antibiotics is one of the main causes of the growing phenomenon of antibiotic resistance. Two million people a year die worldwide from infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and by 2050. - if the situation remains unchanged - there will be 10 million deaths per year due to this. (OECD).1
- The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified the rise of antibiotic resistance as a global crisis and one of the greatest current health threats, which "could lead to the ultimate crisis of modern medicine".2
- Given the scale of the misuse of antibiotics, their rational use and, above all, a reduction in the misuse of this group of drugs have been identified as one of the most important goals of action by many organisations, including the World Health Organisation, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).3
- https://www.oecd.org/health/Antimicrobial-Resistance-in-the-EU-EEA-A-One-Health-Response-March-2022.pdf
- https://papier.gazetalekarska.pl/?page_id=itoaztdveoxhfhvi&paged=484
- https://www.farmakoekonomika.com.pl/naduzycie-antybiotykow-skala-zjawiska-i-jej-konsekwencje/
SITUATION - POLAND
- Already in 2017, the weighted average consumption of systemic antimicrobials in the European Union in open treatment (i.e. outside hospitals) was 21.8 daily doses (DDD) per 1 000 inhabitants per day, with values ranging from 10.1 in the Netherlands to 33.6 in Cyprus. The consumption of these agents in open treatment in Poland was above the European average at 27 DDD per 1 000 inhabitants per day.4
- The misuse of antibiotics leads to an increase in drug resistance of microorganisms, and respiratory infections are the predominant cause of such misuse, as in the vast majority of them antibiotic therapy is not indicated, emphasise the authors of the guideline for PCPs - Diagnosis and treatment of selected infections and inflammations of the respiratory tract.5
- Acute pharyngopharyngitis and palatine tonsillitis (APGM) has a viral aetiology in the vast majority of cases, with viral infections accounting for 70-85% in children over 3 years of age and 90-95% of cases in adults. Acute pharyngitis and palatal tonsillitis is the most common cause of antibiotic overuse in Poland.5
4.https://www.nik.gov.pl/aktualnosci/antybiotyki-i-co-dalej.html