EU: Report highlights importance of reducing antibiotic use

Countries that have reduced antibiotics consumption in both animals and humans have seen a reduction in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, finds the fourth joint report on the integrated analysis of the consumption of antimicrobial agents and occurrence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria from humans and food-producing animals (JIACRA IV). This report, published on 23 February 2024, was jointly published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Adopting a One Health perspective, the report showcases data mainly gathered from 2019 to 2021 on antibiotic usage and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across Europe. Its findings are crucial because AMR poses a significant global health threat, making it increasingly difficult to treat common infectious diseases.