Antimicrobial consumption in the EU/EEA (ESAC-Net)

Antimicrobial stewardship measures are essential to prevent and control AMR. While the overall reductions in AMC observed in the EU/EEA between 2011 and 2020 suggest the positive effect of coordinated and EU-wide initiatives towards prudent use of antimicrobials, the increase in consumption of broad-spectrum antimicrobials and the remaining variability in AMC rates across EU/EEA countries highlights opportunities to further improve current practices.

Data for 2020 suggest that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had a considerable impact on AMC in the EU/EEA. The consequences on AMR are yet to be evaluated, but current data underline the importance of continuous surveillance of both AMC and AMR, to carefully monitor the situation in order to assess the more long-term consequences and inform public health decisions.