WHO finds wide disparities in use of antibiotics between countries

A new report released Monday by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals significant differences in the amount of antibiotics consumed by countries around the world and calls for changes in how countries monitor and use antimicrobial drugs.

"The overuse and misuse of antibiotics are the main causes of antimicrobial resistance. Without effective antibiotics and other antimicrobials, we will no longer be able to treat common infections such as pneumonia, "said Suzanne Hill, director of the WHO Department of Essential Drugs and Health Products.

The report, which examined data on the use of antibiotics in 65 countries in terms of defined daily intake (DDD) per 1000 population per day, revealed a difference of nearly 15-fold in the consumption of drugs. Antibiotics between the most and least consuming countries.

Antibiotic use ranged from only 4.84 DDD / 1000 inhabitants per day in Burundi to 64.41 DDD / 1000 people in Mongolia, while high-income countries such as Canada (17.05 DDD / 1000 people ) and South Korea (27.68 DDD / 1000 people) collapsed. between the two extremes.

"The big difference in the use of antibiotics around the world indicates that some countries are probably using too much antibiotics, while others may not have enough access to these medications. salvators, "said WHO.

Even in the European region, where, according to the WHO, the median rate of antibiotic consumption was 17.9 DDD / 1,000 people per day, the report revealed a difference of four between peak consumption and the minimal consumption of antibiotics.

In the future, WHO believes that it is important for countries to put in place national systems for monitoring the use of antibiotics and implement policies to ensure that antibiotics are used. are used appropriately.

The report also found different consumption rates depending on the types of antibiotics. While antibiotics such as amoxicillin and amoxicillin / clavulanic acid, recommended by the WHO for first-line or second-line treatment of many common infections, were the most commonly used in the world, broad-spectrum antibiotics which, according to WHO, should be used more wisely 50% of the antibiotics used in some countries.

However, the report also found that many low- and middle-income countries have not reported using antibiotics that, according to the WHO, should be reserved as a last resort for specific infections or infections. multidrug-resistant bacteria.

"This may indicate that some countries may not have access to these medications needed to treat complicated multidrug-resistant infections," said WHO. In contrast, countries such as Italy and Spain reported using these antibiotics more frequently than others in the report.

While the report highlights how antibiotics are used around the world, the WHO says that national efforts to collect data on antibiotic use have led some countries, including Bangladesh and the Caribbean. d'Ivoire, to change the way they monitor or manage their stocks of antibiotics.

"The process of implementing national surveillance of antimicrobial consumption has prompted countries to review national regulations, procurement and drug supply chains as a starting point for strengthening pharmaceutical systems." global ", writes the WHO.

WHO report