Consumption in the Community of Antibacterials for Systemic Use (ATC group J01) in Ukraine in 2013-2018 Compared to the United Kingdom

Background: According to WHO one of strategic objectives to fight antibiotic resistance is optimize the use of antimicrobial medicines. Unnecessary and irrational use of antibiotics is a major worldwide problem. Despite of detailed research on trends of antibiotic use in many countries, no sufficient data is available for Ukraine.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the consumption of antibacterials for systemic use in Ukraine in 2013-2018 compared with consumption data from United Kingdom using the ATC/DDD-methodology which is accepted as a standard.

Methods: The data on consumption of antibacterials for systemic use in Ukraine were analyzed according to the ATC/DDD international system for classification and consumption of drugs according to the WHO’s measurement methodology. Then they were compared to data for the United Kingdom from the Annual epidemiological report for 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control).

Results: Consumption indicators in Ukraine decreased from 11.5358 DID in 2013 to 10.0884DID in 2015 and increased from 11.0792 DID in 2016 to 12.4731 DID in 2018.

The consumption in the United Kingdom has decreased from 18.2765 DID in 2013 to 16.2636 DID in 2018, despite a slight increase in 2014 (18.5068 DID).

Throughout the study period, antibiotics were consumed more in the United Kingdom than in Ukraine. The largest difference in antibacterial for systemic use consumption between the two countries was recorded in 2015 (1.8 times).

Conclusion: Decreasing consumption of antibacterial for systemic use in the United Kingdom can be explained as a result of implementation for 5-year antimicrobial resistance strategy 2013 to 2018 and 20 year vision for antimicrobial resistance.

The prospect of research is to investigate hospital consumption antibacterials for systemic use and the effectiveness of the implementation for government programs to reduce antibiotic resistance in Ukraine.