This report highlights the importance of using antibiotics prudently and appropriately and underscores the risk of developing antibiotic-resistant bacteria—known as antibiotic resistance—which is accelerated by antibiotic use. With just a few days to go before World Antibiotic Awareness Week, which will take place from November 18 to 24, Santé publique France, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, and the National Health Insurance have launched a prevention campaign titled “Antibiotics: Treating Yourself Properly Starts with Using Them Properly” with the goal of raising awareness about their appropriate use and helping to reduce their consumption among the general population.

Resurgence in Antibiotic Prescriptions in the Fourth Quarter of 2021

Despite a continuous decline in outpatient antibiotic consumption over the past 10 years, France remains the fourth-highest consumer in Europe, behind Greece, Romania, and ^Bulgaria1.

Following a sharp decline in antibiotic prescriptions in 2020,² coinciding with measures to manage the COVID-19 pandemic (lockdowns, adoption of preventive measures, and a decrease in medical consultations), 2021 saw a resurgence of common winter infections, medical consultations, and antibiotic prescriptions, particularly in the fourth quarter.

In 2021:

• Approximately 80% of antibiotic prescriptions were issued in outpatient settings, as usual, with a peak at the end of the year due to the return of common winter infections.

• The most significant change in antibiotic prescriptions was observed among children aged 0 to 4: prescriptions increased, returning to nearly the same level as in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

• In nursing homes and among people aged 80 and older in the community, the decline continued in 2021.

“Taking antibiotics is never harmless. With each course of treatment, the normal microbiota—that is, the bacteria naturally present in our bodies, consisting mostly of antibiotic-sensitive bacteria—is partially destroyed, making way for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Certain molecules, also known as critical antibiotics³^, contribute more to this resistance, with the risk of rendering these treatments ineffective,” explains Dr. Anne Berger-Carbonne, head of the Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antibiotic Resistance Unit at Santé publique France.

Antibiotics do not work against viral infections

Even today, misconceptions about antibiotics persist:

• More than 7 in 10 French people (77%) believe they are effective for acute bronchitis, more than 65% for bronchiolitis, 55% for viral sore throat, and 53% for the flu, even though antibiotics are ineffective against these viral infections;

• More than 1 in 2 French people (54%) believe it is recommended to take antibiotics for a sore throat (even though more than 80% of sore throats are viral), and 50% believe that antibiotics help you recover faster;

• 44% of them believe it is better to take antibiotics when you want to return to work quickly.

A campaign to raise awareness about the proper use of antibiotics

Santé publique France launched the campaign “Antibiotics: Proper Treatment Starts with Proper Use” on October 8. Two videos shown in public spaces remind viewers that antibiotics are effective only against bacterial infections and should be taken only under medical supervision. Posters for healthcare providers’ waiting rooms, radio spots, and messages shared on social media by influencers are also planned.