The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recently released the first European Sales and Use of Antimicrobials for Veterinary Medicine (ESUAvet) annual surveillance report, covering data from the year 2023. This marks the beginning of a regular exercise that will result in yearly reports to track the use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine across the European Union.
One key finding from the report is that sales of antibiotics for food-producing animals accounted for 98% of total EU sales of veterinary medicines containing substances with antibiotic activity. The highest selling antimicrobial class for food-producing animals were penicillins, followed by tetracyclines and sulfonamides. This data sheds light on the prevalent use of antibiotics in the agriculture sector and highlights the need for responsible use practices.
The report also references the AMEG categorization of antibiotics for use in animals, developed by EMA’s ad hoc expert group. Approximately 65% of total EU sales for food-producing animals corresponded to substances that belong to category D, which are recommended as first-line treatments whenever possible. 29% of sales corresponded to category C antibiotics, which should only be considered when no Category D antibiotics are clinically effective. The remaining 6% of sales corresponded to category B antibiotics, which are critically important in human medicine but should be restricted in animal use to mitigate the risk to public health.
This comprehensive report is a significant step forward in understanding and monitoring the use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine across the EU. It is the first time that data on antibiotic use has been collected at a European level, providing valuable insights into current practices. However, it is important to note that many countries are still in the process of setting up or improving data collection systems for antimicrobial use. As a result, the shared data for 2023 were not complete and accurate enough to provide quantitative information. Member States are committed to enhancing their data collection systems to ensure increased accuracy and coverage in future reports.
The ESUAvet report is a valuable resource for policymakers, veterinarians, and stakeholders in the agriculture and healthcare sectors. By tracking and analyzing the sales and use of antimicrobials for veterinary medicine, it allows for informed decision-making and the development of targeted strategies to promote responsible antibiotic use. The report also serves as a benchmark for monitoring progress and trends in antibiotic use over time.
For more information and detailed insights from the ESUAvet report, you can access the full document titled “European sales and use of antimicrobials for veterinary medicine” on the EMA website. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the findings and implications for the veterinary medicine sector in the European Union.
In conclusion, the release of the ESUAvet annual surveillance report represents a significant milestone in monitoring and addressing the use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine across the EU. By highlighting key trends and data on antibiotic sales and use, the report lays the foundation for evidence-based decision-making and targeted interventions to promote responsible antibiotic use in animals.Continued collaboration and data sharing among Member States will be crucial in advancing efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance and safeguard public health.
