Last year consumption of antibiotics in Latvia went up 29% when compared to the year prior, according to data compiled by the State Agency of Medicines (ZVA).
In the outpatient sector consumption of antibiotics went up by 32%, and was 12% higher when compared to 2019 (before Covid-19 pandemic).
Consumption of antibiotics in hospitals went up 3% last year.
ZVA data analyst Ieva Rutkovska mentions: “The growth in the use of antibiotics may be related to the fact that there was no social distancing, requirement to wear masks or other restrictions last year. It is also possible people no longer paid as much attention to hand hygiene as they did during Covid-19 pandemic. The risk of respiratory infections went up because of that.
Although antibiotics do not help against viral infections,
people still use them in those situations. The tendency for consumption of antibiotics to go up usually follows after a drop observed during Covid-19 pandemic. This was the case for the entire EU/EEZ.”
Consumption was the highest for penicillin, macrolide, lincosamide and quinolone antibiotics. Consumption is up across all groups of antibiotics. ZVA reports that the World Antibiotic Awareness Week continues (18th – 24th November). During this special week residents are reminded that
antibiotics should be used only as directed by their doctor.
Antibiotics should not be used to treat illnesses they are not meant for. Antibiotics do not help with flu and common cold, because these illnesses are caused by viruses.
Antibiotics are used only to treat illnesses caused by bacteria.
Unjustified use of antibiotics often results in bacteria becoming more and more resistant to antibiotics, making them useless. This is called antimicrobial resistance. Every year there are approximately 35 000 deaths related to antimicrobial resistance.
Responsible use of antibiotics reduces the risk of antimicrobial resistance. This is why ZVA urges residents to use antibiotics only as directed by their doctor.
Also read: Nobel Prize awarded to scientists advancing mRNA technology for COVID-19 vaccines
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