Author/Editor		Čižman, Milan; Beović, Bojana; Krcmery, Vladimir; Baršić, Bruno; Tamm, Eda; Ludwig, Endre; Pelemis, Mojimir; Karovski, Kliment; Grzesiowski, Pavel; Gardovska, Dace
Title		Antibiotic policies in central eastern Europe
Type		članek
Source		Int J Antimicrob Agents
Vol. and No.		Letnik 24, št. 3
Publication year		2004
Volume		str. 199-204
Language		eng
Abstract		To assess the antibiotic policies in Central Eastern European (CEE) countries, a questionnaire on the prevalence of resistance, antibiotic consumption data for ambulatory and hospital care and antibiotic policies, was mailed to national representatives. Data on antibiotie resistance and consumption of antibiotics at national levels are limited and vary considerably among countries. The importance of surveillanee data in altering pemeptions of the prevalence of resistance is shown by the comparison of surveillance data and interview data. Interview data without surveillance data produced the widest range of estimates of the prevalence of resistance in streptococcus pneumonia -5% in Lithuania and 82% in Belarus. The average consumption of antibiotics in ambulatory care in eight CEE countries in 2001 was 19.35 defined daily doses (DDD)/1000 inhabitants per day, (range 13.1 -24.8 DDD) and in hospitals in six CEE countries was 2.2 DDD/1000 inhabitants per day (range 1.3-4.5). Over the counter sales of antibiotics are available in some countries. Antibiotic policy intervencions do not exist or only apply to specific problems or interventions. Better implementation of antibiotic interventions and education on antibiotic use should be a high priority in this region. An effective strategy requires close co-operation, consultations and partnership at national and international level in particular, via existing international organisations.
Descriptors		ANTIBIOTICS DRUG RESISTANCE, MICROBIAL HEALTH POLICY AMBULATORY CARE DRUG UTILIZATION DRUGS, NON-PRESCRIPTION EUROPE, EASTERN