Antibiotic use in Ireland has declined for the first time in nine years, according to newly published statistics.
Figures released to coincide with European Antibiotic Awareness Day show there was a 7.9 per cent fall in use of antibiotics in the first six months of 2009, the first recorded decline since 2000.
Dr Robert Cunney, consultant microbiologist at the HSE's Health Protection Surveillance Centre told
The Irish Timesthe drop in use was attributed to an education programme for general practictioners and an ongoing advertising campaign warning the public of the dangers associated with overuse.
"Up until last year we were one of the few countries in Europe in which antibiotic use outside of hospitals was steadily increasing year-on-year but more recent data shows that the percentage of people using antibiotics has declined.
A separate survey published today shows more than one in five intensive care doctors working in hospitals throughout Europe are now seeing patients with bugs that are "totally or almost totally" resistant to antibiotics.
The questionaire, which was carried out on behalf of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), reveals that 21 per cent of 95 intensive care specialists have seen three or more patients over the last six months with infections that could not be cured using antibiotics.
