Belgians still among biggest consumers of antibiotics in Europe

Belgians remain among the biggest consumers of antibiotics in Europe, despite a gradual reduction between 2016 and 2024, according to studies published as part of World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week. In the whole EU, antibiotic consumption rose by 0.6 per cent in recent years, moving further away from the European target of a 20 per cent reduction by 2030.

In 2019, around one infection in 11 was resistant to antibiotics in Belgium, particularly affecting the most vulnerable populations such as the elderly and very young children, stressed the Belgian Independent Health Insurance Funds in a press release.

Between July 2016 and June 2024, antibiotic consumption in the country fell slightly, to 17.8 daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants, according to a new study by the health insurance funds. Between July 2023 and June 2024, reimbursed antibiotics were dispensed by a public pharmacy to one-third of their members.

The health insurance funds are calling for greater efforts to reach Belgian and international targets, listed amongst others in the Belgian action plan “One Health”. Their study for example points out that the reduction in the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in Belgium to 5 per cent of the total volume prescribed and the global 40 per cent reduction in antibiotic consumption by 2019 have not been achieved.

The only Belgian target that was met, concerns the category of antibiotics with a lower potential for resistance. The goal was to ensure that most - 65 per cent - of the used antibiotics fall into this category. Belgium surpassed this level, reaching 69 per cent this year.

“Unless effective, global action is taken, it is predicted that simple infections will be difficult, if not impossible, to treat with antibiotics,” stated the Independent Health Insurance Funds. “And simple surgical procedures will become complex because it will no longer be possible to prevent infections.”

Situation in the EU

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) also provided an update concerning the situation in the whole EU. It turns out that antibiotic consumption in the EU rose by 0.6 per cent between 2019 and 2023. “We are thus moving further away from the target of a 20 per cent reduction by 2030, set by the EU,” warned the ECDC.

Its newest analysis also confirms that Belgium is one of nine member states whose consumption of antibiotics has fallen, but that it remains one of the European countries that uses the most antibiotics.

^{Antibiotic pills © BELGA PHOTO IMAGEBROKER}