Antibiotics: When it is necessary, as it is necessary

The main objective of the Resistance National Strategy (StAR) is to ensure the efficacy of antibiotics for human and animal health, and to reduce resistance to these substances. Launched in 2015 and implemented by the Confederation in collaboration with doctors, pharmacists, veterinarians and farmers, the StAR strategy bears its first fruits: the use of antibiotics has been reduced by half in veterinary medicine, and nationally harmonized prescription guidelines are applied in human medicine. With an information campaign and a slogan "when it is necessary," the Confederation wishes to make the population even more aware.

The development of antibiotics is one of the greatest advances in modern medicine. These medicines can treat serious pathologies, such as pneumonia or sepsis, the outcome of which was often fatal. Their excessive or inappropriate use, however, results in bacterial resistance and loss of efficacy. This increases the risk that certain infections developed by men or animals become difficult, if not impossible, to treat.

The commitment of the experts alone is not enough to guarantee the efficacy of antibiotics: patients and breeders must also use these medicines responsibly. Surveys have shown that there are still gaps in the population. By launching this large-scale campaign, the Confederation intends to inform the importance of antibiotics, the risks associated with resistant bacteria and the correct use of these drugs in the human and animal fields.

Planned for four years, the campaign will be broadcast nationwide via TV spots, posters, online advertising and a website. Under the slogan "Antibiotics: when it is necessary", animated figures provide information about the conscientious use of these drugs and the consequences that bacteria that have become resistant can have for humans , animal, agriculture and the environment.

Resistance National Strategy (StAR)

As part of the StAR strategy launched in 2015 by the Federal Council, the campaign is implemented by the four federal offices of Public Health (FOPH), food Security and Veterinary Affairs (OSAV), Agriculture (FOAG) and The environment (Foen) and the actors concerned. 35 measures have already been carried out with significant progress in the key.
 
Thanks to the various measures taken over the last ten years, the quantity of antibiotics sold in veterinary medicine has been reduced by half. For example, the delivery of certain substances has decreased, and therapeutic guides and information materials have been developed. The awareness of veterinarians and breeders, begun in recent years, continues. A national information system to record the prescriptions of antibiotics (if ABV) in veterinary medicine will progressively, as early as 2019, to have a more accurate overview of the use of these antibiotic medicines.

In the agricultural sector, livestock farmers are also aware of the problem. Together with veterinarians and peasants, several branches have launched prevention programmes supported financially by the FOAG, which aim to improve animal health; Indeed, healthy animals do not need antibiotics. These efforts have resulted in a decrease in the use of antibiotics since 2008.

In the human field, the relevant medical discipline companies have formulated guidelines for harmonised prescription, valid for the whole of Switzerland. The medical profession (family doctors and specialists) is invited to apply them during therapeutic decisions. They define when antibiotics should be used and also include information to specify the choice of the drug, its dosage and the duration of treatment. A new online platform also provides physicians with an overview of the most recent regional resistance data (www.infect.info).

The Swiss antibiotic Resistance report, which appears every two years, stresses that the use of antibiotics reported to the general population has decreased slightly compared to the previous period under review. In the ambulatory and stationary fields, consumption decreased by 5% and 10% respectively. According to a study conducted with family physicians, the latter prescribed antibiotics in 29 consultations on 1000 in 2017. This is significantly less than the 34 to 40 prescriptions (always out of a total of 1000 consultations) carried out each year between 2006 and 2013.

Antibiotic bacteria have been detected here and there in Swiss waters. If one part is in the natural state, the other reaches it through wastewater discharged into the lakes and rivers. Sewage treatment plants currently eliminate up to 99% of these microorganisms. Some stations are currently planning additional treatment steps to further reduce these organizations.

In order to inform specialists and the population concerned about the dangers associated with the increase in resistance and to make them more aware of the importance of using antibiotics with caution, the World Health Organization (WHO) is putting on Foot, as every year, World Week for good use of antibiotics. In Switzerland, various players will organise, between 12 and 18 November 2018, podiums for discussion, continuous training, business visits or information stands (see "Star" link).

Press release admin.ch-portal of the Swiss government- Source and details