The trial was not successful. Antibiotic prescriptions and consumption, which had slightly decreased in 2023, rebounded sharply in 2024 in France, which is falling further behind its targets and remains among the worst performers in Europe despite the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. The slight decrease in 2023 "Therefore, this is not confirmed in 2024" concludes an annual study by Public Health France (SpF) based on data on Social Security reimbursements, released for World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (November 18-24).
France, the second-largest consumer of antibiotics in Europe
The rebound concerns both prescriptions (more than 860 per 1,000 inhabitants in the year, +4.81 per 1,000 inhabitants compared to 2023) and consumption (+5.41 per 1,000 inhabitants in daily doses). Approximately 4 out of 10 French people are prescribed it at least once a year.
After a downward trend since 2014, with a drop linked to the start of the Covid crisis, 2021 and 2022 were marked by a resurgence in antibiotic use, with the return of common winter infections and consultations. 2023 appeared to be a return to normal and an effect of public education.
To explain the "break" in 2024, "One hypothesis is linked to seasonal winter epidemics (flu, bronchiolitis), which are fairly active, mostly viral (...) but can lead to prescriptions for antibiotics.""Yet useless," Dr. Rémi Lefrançois, head of the healthcare-associated infections and antibiotic resistance unit at SpF, told AFP.
France is "still far from the target of 650 prescriptions per 1,000 inhabitants per year by 2027", And "ranks 2nd among countries consuming the most antibiotics in Europe", behind Greece, also commented Dr. Caroline Semaille, Director General of SpF, quoted in a press release, calling for "continue to raise awareness".
While the country has gone from fifth to second place in one year, "European data (EU, Iceland and Norway) on total antibiotic consumption, in the community and in hospitals, should be viewed with caution." Given the differences in access to care and healthcare systems, Dr. Lefrançois explained, in 2024, French general practitioners, who issue the majority of prescriptions, prescribed more antibiotics (+6.21% in 2023), unlike in 2023, as did specialists (+1.51% in 2023). The situation remained unchanged among dentists (-0.21% in 2023).
Take his "pilgrim's staff"
"We need to do even more to raise awareness, convince and support these prescribers."the infectious disease specialist judged, citing for example "Perhaps there is room for improvement in the use of rapid diagnostic tests for tonsillitis or cystitis"From the patients' perspective, "We must take up our pilgrim's staff again." : "The French public's knowledge of antibiotic resistance is poor and tends to be declining."
France has different practices and a different history regarding the use of medication than other countries. For antibiotics, this also shows disparities, depending on age, sex, region, etc. Among children aged 0-4, antibiotic prescriptions generally stabilized in 2024 – at a level slightly lower than in 2019 – but increased significantly in the third quarter against a backdrop of epidemics. Among seniors, prescriptions increased.
Consumption also remained higher among women than men, and in certain regions, such as Corsica and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. A possible explanation, according to Dr. Lefrançois: "an elderly population and a high supply of healthcare in general practitioners and specialists" in these areas. Reducing antibiotic consumption is a goal of health authorities to curb the emergence of bacteria resistant to these molecules that have revolutionized modern medicine.
While the body's resistance to antibiotics is natural, it is exacerbated by excessive or inappropriate use of treatments, for example against seasonal flu, which is of viral and not bacterial origin.
The World Health Organization, which describes it as one of the major public health threats, warned in mid-October about the increasing spread of resistant bacteria. This compromises the effectiveness of vital treatments, for example against tuberculosis, and makes minor injuries and common infections potentially fatal.
To avoid the worst-case scenario of tens of millions of deaths linked to antibiotic resistance, researchers are working on a range of approaches, such as developing treatments that can fight tough bacteria without compromising the microbial balance of the body.
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