The consumption of antibiotics in Denmark has experienced an increase in 2023, but still remains below the levels from 2014. According to a press release from the State Serum Institute (SSI), data from the monitoring program Danmap shows that there has been a 6.6 percent increase in antibiotic consumption compared to the previous year. This increase is attributed to, among other things, an early and more severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as well as seasonal influenza. Additionally, an outbreak of group A streptococci has also contributed to the increased consumption. Streptococci are a common cause of infections such as tonsillitis and skin infections, according to Health.dk.
Monitoring of antibiotic consumption in Denmark has been ongoing since 1995 and is carried out by the National Food Institute and SSI. The State Serum Institute points out that the use of antibiotics for the treatment of respiratory infections decreased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Chief physician Ute Wolff Sönksen from the Reference Laboratory for Antibiotic Resistance at SSI states that the post-pandemic increase in consumption is not surprising, but emphasizes the importance of considering the risk of antibiotic resistance. She warns that increased antibiotic consumption can lead to fewer treatment options in the future due to the development of resistant bacteria.
Although antibiotic consumption has increased in 2023, it is still 6.2 percent lower than in 2014. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, and to counteract the development of resistance, it is crucial to limit consumption.