Between 2019 and 2023, antibiotic consumption in the EU increased by 1%, moving further away from the 2030 target of a 20% reduction recommended by the Council of the European Union. Although there have been significant reductions in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections during the same period, the situation in other critical areas, such as carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections, has worsened, with an increase in incidence by almost 60% between 2019 and 2023. This represents a growing threat to patients in hospitals across the EU, particularly since very few therapeutic options remain available to treat patients infected with carbapenem-resistant K.
pneumoniae . Reaching the EU targets by 2030 requires a united, urgent response across the EU to prevent AMR from undermining healthcare. This response is key to protecting patients and sustaining the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations.
" Dr. Pamela Rendi-Wagner, ECDC Director To highlight the serious threat presented by antimicrobial resistance (AMR), ECDC has launched a series of patient stories to give a voice to people who have experienced prolonged hospital stays, uncertain recovery and complex treatments due to AMR. The stories also talk about the impact that these infections have had on the patients' lives and families.
While some Member States have made great progress towards their recommended AMR targets, or even in some instances have already reached.