Who is Responsible for Use of Antibiotics?

This week, there has been a focus globally on the use and misuse of antibiotics in meat and food production and the concerns over antibiotic resistance.

The 7th European Antibiotic Awareness Day took place on Tuesday when the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) latest EU-wide data on antibiotic resistance shows an increase in resistance to certain antibiotics.

Vytenis Andriukaitis, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety said: “The near doubling of resistance in a certain bacteria in three years is truly alarming, and illustrates the need to tackle the issue from all directions.

“Antimicrobial resistance is one the most pressing public health issues of our time, and as incoming health Commissioner, I pledge to prioritise it throughout my five year mandate.”

The lack of effectiveness of existing antibiotics combined with the lack of new antibiotic treatments has raised serious concerns and according to the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe demands a joint response.

The FVE said that primary prescribers play a crucial role and the European health professionals have put forward seven recommendations to raise awareness to primary care prescribers on the prudent and responsible use of antibiotics.

FVE President, Dr Christophe Buhot said: "Veterinarians together with the other health professions are the gatekeepers of the public health. This is why it is so important to ensure that all of us – doctors, dentists and veterinarians - are equally committed to this goal and promote the same recommendations."

CPME President Dr Katrín Fjeldsted said: "It is crucial that healthcare professionals join forces to combat antimicrobial resistance. The joint recommendations are part of this collaborative exercise and we will continue to closely work together to promote prudent use of antibiotics."

CED President Dr Wolfgang Doneus said: "Antibiotics need to be responsibly prescribed, correctly used and the outcomes monitored.

"We are counting on our Colleagues to help in making sure that antibiotics stay effective and to discuss the risks of self-medication with our patients.”

The European agricultural association COPA COGECA said that the responsible use of antimicrobials was the responsibility of the entire food chain.

Copa-Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen said: “Biosecurity measures, good husbandry systems, good feed and hygienic conditions certainly play a crucial role in disease prevention, though, animals can still get sick and they need to be treated for both animal health and welfare reasons.

“Appropriate therapy and veterinary medicines therefore must be available in all Member States and for all species, including minor species, which currently face a severe lack of veterinary medicines.

“One of the reasons antimicrobial resistance has worsened is due to the lack of investment to develop new effective antibiotics or feasible alternatives to cure the animals.

“Farmers must currently respect veterinary prescriptions, including recommendations for medicine use, record all treatments in order to ensure effective evaluation.

“This will allow possible adjustments for future treatments because it is in farmers’ interests to ensure sustainable livestock production, with healthy and productive animals. This is one of the best ways to reduce the need for antibiotic treatment.”

Mr Pesonen added: “A responsible use of antimicrobial agents along the whole food chain is vital.

“It’s a huge step towards controlling the spread of antimicrobial resistance and enabling the effective treatment of bacterial infections in animals as well as humans in the future.

“In this respect, we believe that the responsible use of antimicrobials is a shared responsibility between veterinarians, farmers, the entire food chain, and public authorities.”