Monitoring antibiotic consumption and indicators of appropriate use in the ASL CN2 population

Abstract

The excessive use of antibiotics in human and veterinary fields contributes to the selection of resistant bacteria. This study analyzes antibiotic consumption in the ASL CN2, using prescription data. In 2023, the consumption was 13.9 DDD/1000 inhabitants, an increase from the previous year. The most prescribed antibiotics are penicillins (41%), followed by macrolides (22%) and third-generation cephalosporins (14%). There is a ratio of 11.0 between broad-spectrum and narrow-spectrum antibiotics, and seasonal consumption patterns resemble pre-pandemic trends, with higher use in winter. Consumption of antibiotics classified as “Access” is increasing in the post-pandemic period. Careful monitoring of prescriptions is essential to raise awareness among doctors about responsible antibiotic use to combat antibiotic resistance.