Higher antibiotics prescription prevalence in Germany

Antibiotic resistance is a worldwide problem and inappropriate prescriptions are a cause. Especially among children, prescriptions tend to be high. Researchers of the Department of Medical Microbiology of UMCG and the Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (PharmacoTherapy, -Epidemiology & -Economics) of the University of Groningen examined the antibiotic prescription prevalence among children in primary care between northern Netherlands and north-west of Germany. Large differences were seen within and between the countries, with overall higher prescription prevalence in Germany. Considering increasing cross-border healthcare, these comparisons are highly valuable and help act upon antibiotic resistance in the first line of care in an international approach.