Advances towards the 2030 targets in reducing antimicrobial resistance in the EU

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) estimated an annual toll of over 35,000 lives lost due to antibiotic-resistant infections in the European Union (EU), Iceland, and Norway.

To challenge this growing public health issue, the Council Recommendation, adopting a One Health approach, was endorsed on 13 June 2023. This recommendation set five targets to be achieved by 2030, building upon a baseline set on 2019. The goals include reducing overall antibiotic consumption, specific antibiotic group preferences, and mitigating bloodstream infections caused by pathogens resistant to several antibiotics.

The suggested targets are practical means to monitor progress and accomplish objectives in the prevention and reduction of antimicrobial resistance. These targets provide clear, measurable goals tailored to both the European Union (EU) as a whole and individual EU Member States, accounting for their individual circumstances.

The recommended targets for the EU to achieve by 2030 are as follows:

1. A 5% reduction in the incidence of bloodstream infections with carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae.
2. A 15% decrease in the incidence of bloodstream infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
3. A 10% reduction in the incidence of bloodstream infections with third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli.
4. A 20% decline in the overall consumption of antibiotics in humans.
5. Ensuring that a minimum of 65% of total antibiotic consumption in humans falls within the 'Access' group, as defined by WHO's AWaRe classification.

There have been improvements in two areas: the total incidence of infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) decreased by 12.2% between 2019 and 2022, which is close to the 15% reduction target. Similarly, bloodstream infections with third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli decreased by 16.8%, exceeding the 10% reduction target. These positive improvements indicate progress in addressing antimicrobial resistance within the EU.

The overall consumption of antibiotics in humans (combining community and hospital sectors) has shown a decrease by 2.5% between 2019 and 2022, indicating gradual progress towards the 20% reduction target by 2030. However, after significant reductions in 2020 and 2021, consumption rebounded in 2022, suggesting that patterns related to winter respiratory viruses, social contacts, hygiene habits, and antibiotic-prescribing practices, might now look like pre-COVID-19 levels.

Only nine EU Member States have met or exceeded the target of 65% antibiotic consumption from the 'Access' group, according to the WHO’s AWaRe classification of antibiotic, placing the EU overall at 59.8%.

Antibiotics in this group are recommended as the first choice for common infections due to their lower contribution to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Continued efforts are required to align consumption patterns with the recommended target.

ECDC stresses the necessity for stronger interventions and actions across various areas such as prudent antibiotic use, infection prevention and control, research and innovation, surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and consumption, and the implementation of One Health national action plans.

Achieving the 2030 targets is an urgent and collective responsibility.

Source: ECDC