Less antibiotics for veterinary use sold in 2009 than in previous years
Bern, 07.09.2010 - Sales of antibiotics for veterinary use have stabilised in the past few years. This is revealed by a report published today by Swissmedic and the Federal Veterinary Office. In 2009 a total of 70,789 kg of antibiotics were placed on the market. After a 7.1% increase from 2006 to 2008, the total for 2009 dropped again by 3.2% The report also provides a summary of investigations into antibiotic resistance in Swiss livestock production. Compared to other countries, the situation in Switzerland is relatively favourable. All sectors concerned must, however, make greater efforts to minimise the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Sulfonamides were the most commonly sold antibiotic class (42%), followed by tetracyclines (23%) and penicillins (19%). The reduction in the grand total over the past year is mainly attributable to reductions in the sales of tetracyclines (–1,140 kg) and penicillins (–715 kg). If we compare the total quantity of antibiotics sold, 70,789 kg, with the related livestock population, Switzerland is in the European average (approx. 90 mg/kg), such as Germany, where similar quantities of antibiotics are used per kg live weight. In Scandinavia, however, this index is lower, whereas it is considerably higher in France and the Netherlands.
One common problem in veterinary medicine is mastitis (udder inflammation). 5,190 kg of active substance were sold in preparations for injection into cows’ udders. Newer active ingredients are increasingly replacing older substances. This must be seen critically with regard to the resistance issue, because modern antibiotic classes also include active substances used for treatment of infections with multiresistant bacteria in humans. It is important that veterinarians take this into account in their choice of preparation.
On the whole the bacterial resistance situation is favourable: compared to other countries, animal pathogens are relatively seldom resistant in Switzerland. Recently so-called meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has appeared in pigs. Nine meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains were found in 393 nose swab samples from pigs. This means that the prevalence of MRSA in Swiss pigs is still small in comparison with other countries.
However, the situation has deteriorated in some pathogen-antibiotic combinations. For example, there are greater resistance rates to (fluoro-)quinolones among Campylobacter in broiler chicken. This development is worrying because this class of antibiotics is also used in humans. It is therefore important for all sectors concerned to make greater efforts to contain the development of antibiotic resistance. The changes in the prevalence of antibiotic resistance will continue to be monitored in the next few years as part of the resistance monitoring programme.
Swissmedic has been collecting data about sales volumes of antibiotics for use in veterinary medicine since 2006. However, there are no data on the actual use of antibiotics in the field and dosage applied on treated animals. The present report is the first to include the antibiotic resistance situation. There is a close connection between use and resistance: whenever antibiotics are used to treat sick animals, microbial resistance may occur. The correct and carefully targeted use of antibiotics helps preventing resistance development. The question of the extent to which resistance in animals affects antimicrobial resistance in humans is still unanswered. It is evident that use of antibiotics in human medicine – and particularly in hospitals – has a much greater impact on resistance development in humans than their use in veterinary medicine.
Address for enquiries
Marcel Falk, Communication, Federal Veterinary Office, +41 31 323 84 96
Olivier Flechtner, Market Monitoring (Medicines), Swissmedic, +41 31 322 04 62
Publisher
Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products
http://www.swissmedic.ch/?lang=2
Federal veterinary office (FVO) - as from 2013 in the FDHA
http://www.bvet.admin.ch
