WIREDGOV

As part of its wider strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the European Commission publishes a Special Eurobarometer survey, showing a decrease of 6% in the consumption of antibiotics but at the same time a persistent lack of awareness on their effects.

"The Eurobarometer shows that there is an issue of awareness. For instance, 57% of citizens are unaware that antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. This has obviously consequences on the use of antibiotics. I would like the EU to be the best practice region in the field of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), giving a stronger push to research for the development of new antibiotics, as well as alternatives to antimicrobials. The EU should also continue its global involvement in fighting AMR. We are supporting Member States' efforts, using our competencies and tools with a one health approach, encompassing both human and animal health. And this is what the Commission has been doing through its Action Plan to combat AMR since 2011. I look forward to seeing all Member States have an Action Plan on AMR in place by next year. I am confident this will help to tackle the issue. We really need action on this urgently!", said Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is the ability of microorganisms to resist antimicrobial treatments, especially antibiotics, which has a direct impact on human and animal health and carries a heavy economic cost.

The report, published yesterday, shows a 6% decrease in consumption in the last years even though some countries are still showing an increase in their consumption. Over a third of Europeans took antibiotics in the twelve months preceding the survey. But at the same time the survey shows that knowledge on antimicrobials remains low, with a majority of Europeans (57%) unaware that antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. The survey clearly demonstrates that there exists a direct link between better information and lower consumption.

The Commissions' Action Plan on AMR (2011-2016) is currently being evaluated and will, together with the Eurobarometer results, feed into the ongoing work to identify value added EU Action in the fight against AMR as from next year and beyond, in particular ensuring the EU continues being a best practice region in the field of AMR, giving a stronger push to innovation and research for the development of new antibiotics, as well as alternatives to antimicrobials, and continuing EU contributions to broader collective actions aimed at tackling AMR at global level., This will also be discussed tomorrow (17 June) by Health Ministers in Luxembourg.

To raise awareness about AMR, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) founded the European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD) which aims at providing a platform and support for national campaigns about prudent antibiotic use. Over the years, European Antibiotic Awareness Day - marked annually on 18 November - has developed into a platform of global reach, partnering up with many countries outside the EU as well as relevant stakeholders, in line with the Commission's "One-Health" approach to AMR.

For more information:

http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_food-safety/amr/index_en.htm

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• Enrico BRIVIO (+32 2 295 61 72)
• Aikaterini APOSTOLA (+32 2 298 76 24)

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