Antibiotic Prescriptions in Schleswig-Holstein Surge, Raising Concerns
Introduction
Antibiotics, essential for combating bacterial infections, have witnessed a significant increase in prescription rates in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. Data from AOK NordWest, a health insurance provider, indicates that antibiotic prescriptions surged to around 1.2 million in 2023, surpassing levels recorded in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trend Analysis
From 2016 onwards, antibiotic prescriptions in Schleswig-Holstein had been declining steadily, reaching a low of approximately 896,000 in 2021. However, the numbers began to climb again in 2022, rising to around 904,000. The substantial increase to 1.2 million prescriptions in 2023 marked a return to 2019 levels, when 1.08 million prescriptions were filled.
Concern over Reserve Antibiotics
A major concern highlighted by AOK NordWest is the high proportion of reserve antibiotics prescribed. These antibiotics, intended for use only when standard antibiotics fail, accounted for 43.9% of all prescriptions in 2023.
"This is alarming and could significantly increase the risk of resistance, jeopardizing the treatment of life-threatening infections in the future," emphasized Tom Ackermann, CEO of AOK NordWest.
While the use of reserve antibiotics has decreased since 2014, when it stood at 59.0%, it remains unacceptably high. Ackermann stressed the importance of reserving these antibiotics for situations where resistance to conventional antibiotics emerges.
Need for New Antibiotic Development
In addition to advocating for more judicious antibiotic prescribing, AOK NordWest emphasizes the urgent need for new drugs with novel mechanisms of action that can overcome resistance. Ackermann noted that in the past decade, only 8 out of 367 newly marketed drugs were antibiotics.
Conclusion
The surge in antibiotic prescriptions in Schleswig-Holstein highlights the importance of prudent antibiotic stewardship. Healthcare providers must exercise caution in prescribing antibiotics, particularly reserve antibiotics, to minimize the risk of resistance. The development of new antibiotics with innovative mechanisms is also crucial to ensure effective treatment options for future generations.
A concerted effort involving clinicians, policymakers, and pharmaceutical companies is necessary to address this issue and preserve the efficacy of antibiotics for the protection of public health.
