Dramatic increase in consumption of antibiotics in Colombia, 2020-2023.

Abstract

Introduction. Antibiotic consumption and resistance have increased worldwide. Antibiotic resistance (AMR) results in extended hospital stays and higher healthcare costs.
Objective. To describe the consumption of antibiotics and associated expenditures in Colombia.
Materials and methods. A meticulous descriptive cross-sectional study of antibiotic consumption and expenditure in Colombia from 2020 to 2023 was conducted. Between 2020-2023, a description of the consumption and expenditure of antibiotics in Colombia was made. Data were obtained from IQVIA™ (IMS Health & Quintiles). The prominent families of antimicrobials used in Colombia were selected. Twelve pharmacological families were classified, including 27 antimicrobials and three β-lactamase inhibitors. The defined daily dose (DDD) was used to measure antibiotic consumption, identify variations, and evaluate medical prescription practices. The DDD per 1,000 inhabitants/day (DID) was estimated to obtain information on the population receiving daily antibiotic treatment. The amount of antibiotics used was estimated in grams and tons per year.
Results. The top 10 most consumed antimicrobials by DID in Colombia were amoxicillin, azithromycin, metronidazole, cephalexin, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim & sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin, sulbactam, clarithromycin, cefazolin, and dicloxacillin. The total consumption of antibiotics was 2,139 tons, which represented an expense of USD 708,112,587, for an increase of 17% and 8%, respectively, during the period. Conclusions. The progressive increase in consumption and spending on antimicrobials in Colombia requires a set of interventions that include promoting changes in medical prescribing behavior and a public education campaign that leads to the adoption of a sustainable public health policy.