In a press release published on November 2, Public Health France warned of the high consumption of antibiotics by the French. Young children are mainly affected by this phenomenon.
- In 2021, 80% of antibiotic prescriptions were made in city care with a peak at the end of the year when winter infections return.
- Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections.
Nearly 700 antibiotic prescriptions per 1,000 inhabitants were issued in 2021 (excluding hospitalizations), an increase of 6% compared to 2020, according to Public Health France. In a statement published on November 2, the organization indicated that France is the fourth European country that consumes the most antibiotics after Greece, Romania and Bulgaria.
A significant increase in antibiotic prescriptions in 2021
An accelerated drop in antibiotic prescriptions had been observed in 2020. This phenomenon was linked to confinements, the introduction of barrier gestures and the reduction in medical consultations. However, “The year 2021 was accompanied by a resumption of common winter infections, medical consultations and antibiotic prescriptions, particularly in the last trimester”underlined Public Health France.
For Doctor Alexandre Bleitbreu, infectious disease specialist, the relaxation of barrier gestures has also favored the return of winter infections, and therefore antibiotic prescriptions. With the intensive resumption of medical consultations, health professionals may also find themselves overloaded. “As we don’t have this culture of waiting 48 hours, of seeing how things evolve, of testing with rapid tests, well that leads to an overconsumption of antibiotics”he said during his visit to the 20 hour news from TF1.
Antibiotic prescriptions: an important development in young children
Children aged 0 to 4 are among the populations most affected by this increase in antibiotic prescriptions. “They have increased to almost the same level as in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic”added Public Health France.
The report also shows that some received ideas die hard. A majority of French respondents believe that antibiotics are useful for treating viral pathologies such as the flu, viral angina or bronchiolitis, while these treatments are ineffective against infections caused by viruses.
Antibiotics are usually prescribed for bacterial infection, but frequent and inappropriate use of these drugs can lead to bacterial resistance. They then become ineffective against targeted bacterial infections.
