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Antibiotic consumption surges in France, raising concerns over resistance
The consumption of antibiotics in France has seen a significant increase in 2024, placing the country second in Europe for antibiotic use. According to Santé Publique France, there was a rise of 5.4% in daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants, alongside a 4.8% increase in prescriptions.
This alarming trend comes despite ongoing efforts to reduce antibiotic consumption, highlighted by a global campaign aimed at raising awareness about antimicrobial resistance. While antibiotics have been revolutionary in medicine, their overuse continues to lead to the emergence of resistant bacteria. For instance, common viral infections like seasonal flu should not be treated with antibiotics, yet they are still commonly prescribed.
After a general decline in antibiotic usage since 2014, a sharp drop during the COVID-19 crisis, and a temporary stabilization in 2023, there has now been a notable rebound. Current figures indicate that France is far from its target of 650 prescriptions per 1,000 inhabitants annually by 2027. According to Dr. Caroline Semaille from Santé Publique France, the country has risen from fifth to second in terms of antibiotic consumption across Europe, trailing only Greece.
Dr. Rémi Lefrançois emphasized the need for further awareness campaigns directed at both healthcare providers and patients, pointing out that public knowledge regarding antibiotic resistance is diminishing. In the face of this issue, researchers are exploring new treatments to combat resilient bacteria without disrupting the body's natural microbiome. A study published in The Lancet warns that an estimated 39 million individuals could perish in the next 25 years due to antibiotic resistance.