Antibiotic use in Belgium is declining, but not enough for European targets
Antibiotic use in Belgium has fallen by 14 per cent over the past ten years, according to a new report published on Friday by Sciensano. The Belgian health institute describes this development as “encouraging”, but at the same time emphasises that the European targets are not currently being met.
Antibiotics are medicines used to fight bacteria. However, excessive or incorrect use can lead to resistance, which means that infections with such bacteria become impossible or much more difficult to treat.
The European Union has therefore set a target of reducing the number of daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants to 17.5 by 2030. According to Sciensano, Belgium is still a long way from achieving this. In 2023, the average Belgian consumption was 20.6 daily doses. At the current rate, the European targets will not be met.
The Sciensano report also shows that the use of antibiotics in Belgian hospitals has increased on average in recent years, while their use in outpatient care has actually decreased. “Harmonising practices between hospitals could contribute to a more rational use of antibiotics,” the experts conclude.
Illustration © PHOTO Mathieu Thomasset / Hans Lucas via AFP
Related news
