A flurry of reports marked World Antibiotics Awareness Week (14-20 November), as campaigners and public health authorities sought to highlight the urgent threat posed by the rise of antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotic resistance has come about because the over-use of antibiotics in human medicine and intensive livestock farming has caused bacteria to develop resistance, rendering drugs unable to combat infection-causing pathogens.
Defra published a report showing that overall sales of veterinary antibiotics for use in food-producing animals dropped by 10% from 2014-2015, continuing a 10-year downward trend. A parallel document from Public Health England showed that in 2015, for the first time, fewer antibiotics than before were being prescribed by GPs and clinicians in all healthcare settings. However, a policy briefing from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control revealed that resistance has continued to increase across Europe.
Sustain member the Alliance to Save our Antibiotics argued that action on the use of antibiotics in farm animals is too slow, and coordinated a letter to the press signed by 16 leading medics urging an end to the 'mass medication' of farm animals.
The Alliance to Save our Antibiotics has also co-published a report for investors, explaining the financial risks posed by growing worldwide antibiotic resistance.
Find out more about Sustain's wide-ranging campaign work for a safer, healthier, fairer food system here.
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
