September 4, 2023
Germany sees drop in antibiotic use in veterinary medicine last year
The amount of antibiotics administered in veterinary medicine in Germany decreased again in 2022, in line with previous years, according to data from the country's Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL).
Compared to 2021, the amount dispensed last year decreased by 61 tonnes to 540 tonnes (-10.1%). Compared to 2011, the first year with recorded data, the quantity of antibiotics dispensed had fallen by around 68%.
The quantity of fluoroquinolones decreased by 0.6 tonnes compared to the previous year, to five tonnes (-10.1%).
The amount of 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins was 1.1 tonnes (-0.1 tonnes; -10.8%).
The amount of polypeptide antibiotics (mainly colistin) also decreased, reaching 44 tonnes (-6.8 tonnes; -13.3%).
As in previous years, penicillins and tetracyclines constitute the largest share of antibiotics dispensed. Compared to 2021, a reduction of about seven tonnes (penicillins) and 35 tonnes (tetracyclines) was recorded. In the case of sulfonamides, the reduction is nine tonnes.
- BMEL