Rising Antibiotic Prescriptions and the Growing Resistance Crisis

In 2023, antibiotic prescriptions surged by 18.4% in Germany, with reserve antibiotics increasing even more sharply by 21%. Saarland reported the highest rate, with 539 prescriptions per 1,000 insured individuals, significantly above the national average.

Regions like Berlin and Brandenburg also experienced notable increases in antibiotic use, with up to 49% of prescriptions being reserve antibiotics. This trend raises serious concerns about the potential for antibiotic resistance, highlighted by the alarming statistic of 9,700 annual deaths linked to this issue in Germany.

Although there has been a decline in antibiotic use in livestock farming, the emergence of new active ingredients remains stagnant. Experts warn against the uncritical use of reserve antibiotics, as excessive prescriptions could diminish their effectiveness against severe infections caused by multi-resistant pathogens.

The growing reliance on these medications poses significant risks for public health if not managed wisely.