loading page

Monitoring the community use of antibiotics in Italy within the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance
  • +6
  • Agnese Cangini,
  • Filomena Fortinguerra,
  • Aurora Di Filippo,
  • Andrea Pierantozzi,
  • Roberto Da Cas,
  • Federico Villa,
  • Francesco Trotta ,
  • MariaLuisa Moro,
  • Carlo Gagliotti
Agnese Cangini
Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco

Corresponding Author:a.cangini@aifa.gov.it

Author Profile
Filomena Fortinguerra
Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco
Author Profile
Aurora Di Filippo
Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco
Author Profile
Andrea Pierantozzi
Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco
Author Profile
Roberto Da Cas
National Institute of Health
Author Profile
Federico Villa
Università del Piemonte Orientale Amedeo Avogadro Biblioteca del DIGSPES
Author Profile
Francesco Trotta
Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco
Author Profile
MariaLuisa Moro
Agenzia sanitaria e sociale regionale Regione Emilia-Romagna
Author Profile
Carlo Gagliotti
Agenzia sanitaria e sociale regionale Regione Emilia-Romagna
Author Profile

Abstract

Background: In Italy both the consumption of antibiotics and the prevalence of bacterial resistance are higher than in other European countries. In 2017, the first National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (PNCAR) was adopted in Italy. In response to the PNCAR two National Reports on Antibiotics’ use in the human setting have been published. The article’s aim is to describe the pattern of antibiotics consumption in the community setting in Italy from 2013 to 2018. Methods: In order to analyse the consumption for reimbursed antibiotics dispensed by community pharmacies different data sources were used. Consumption was measured in terms of Defined Daily Dose (DDD), prescriptions or prevalence of use. Results: In 2018, the consumption of antibiotics in Italy amounted to 16.1 DDD per 1,000 inhabitants per day. The rates of consumption by geographical area were: 12.7 DDD in the North, 16.9 in the Centre and 20.4 in the South. The use was greater in the extreme age groups than in the population aged from 20 to 64 years. The consumption was higher in winter season with high peaks in the incidence of flu syndromes. In the paediatric population, a utilization rate of 1,010 prescriptions per 1,000 children, with a prevalence of use of 40.8%, was found. Conclusion: The study provides useful information on geographical variability of antibiotics’ use in Italy to guide decision makers in the introduction of tailored interventions, as suggested by PNCAR, aimed at promoting a more rational use of antibiotics for humans and reducing antimicrobial resistance.
16 Apr 2020Submitted to British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
22 Apr 2020Submission Checks Completed
22 Apr 2020Assigned to Editor
24 Apr 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
13 May 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 May 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Major
19 Jun 20201st Revision Received
22 Jun 2020Submission Checks Completed
22 Jun 2020Assigned to Editor
22 Jun 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 Jun 2020Editorial Decision: Accept