Hamburg Leads the Nation in Antibiotic Prescribing Prudence
Introduction
Antibiotics are powerful drugs used to combat bacterial infections. However, their overuse can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing a significant threat to public health. In this context, Hamburg stands out as a beacon of responsible antibiotic prescribing practices.
Hamburg’s Remarkable Record
According to a recent analysis by the Scientific Institute of the AOK health insurance fund, Hamburg’s physicians prescribed antibiotics at the lowest rate nationwide in 2023. Only 328 prescriptions were issued per 1,000 insured patients, significantly below the national average of 486. Contrastingly, the highest prescribing rate was observed in the Saarland, with 539 prescriptions per 1,000 patients.
Resurgence of Antibiotic Prescriptions
Nationally, antibiotic prescriptions increased in 2023, surpassing the pre-pandemic levels of 2019. Around 36 million packs of antibiotics were dispensed by statutory health insurers, worth approximately €792 million. Hamburg also experienced a rise in prescriptions, from 534,000 in 2019 to approximately 542,000 in 2023.
Concern Over Reserve Antibiotics
Reserve antibiotics are considered a last-resort option when conventional antibiotics fail. The AOK expressed concern about their high prescription rate, which reached 43.3% in Hamburg, almost identical to the national average of 43.4%. The number of reserve antibiotic prescriptions in Hamburg rose to nearly 235,000, still slightly below the 2019 level.
"The renewed increase in prescriptions of reserve antibiotics is worrying," said Helmut Schröder, Managing Director of the AOK Scientific Institute. "It could exacerbate the risk of resistance, which would have severe implications, especially in life-threatening infections."
Hampered Containment of Reserve Antibiotic Use
Nationally, 15.7 million prescriptions for reserve antibiotics were issued in 2023, a 21% increase from the previous year. "The rising prescription numbers suggest that their judicious use is not being consistently achieved," Schröder remarked.
Bremen recorded the lowest proportion of reserve antibiotics prescribed, at 33.3%, while Mecklenburg-Vorpommern had the highest, at 53.4%.
Conclusion
Hamburg’s exemplary antibiotic prescribing practices serve as a model for other regions. By promoting responsible use, Hamburg has played a vital role in combating the threat of antibiotic resistance. However, concerns persist regarding the high prescription rate of reserve antibiotics, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and efforts to ensure their appropriate use.
