Field of activity Appropriate use of antibiotics

Antibiotics must be used appropriately to revent the development of resistance.

Excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics is the leading cause for the increase in resistance. Clear guidelines are required on the prescribing, dispensing and use of antibiotics by humans and animals, especially for newly developed antibiotics and antibiotics classed as critical.

The measures in this field of activity are as follows:

Develop guidelines on the prescribing, dispensing and use of antibiotics and ensure their implementation:
Responsible use of antibiotics will be encouraged by the elaboration and nation-wide application of uniform guidelines based on the current state of knowledge.

Restrict the prescribing, dispensing and use of antibiotics:
Criteria for the prescribing, dispensing and use of antibiotics will be drawn up and consistently implemented. These relate in particular to antibiotics recently placed on the market as well as to antibiotics whose use is severely limited as part of a reserve antibiotics concept.

Facilitate access to expertise:
Access to specific expertise and advice will be provided as required for specialists and for people affected by antibiotic resistance. Develop methods to deal with above-average use of antibiotics: Systems for a gradual process will be developed that will enable persistently high prescribers, dispensers or consumers of antibiotics to reduce the frequency of use.

You can find information on the implementation of these measures here:

Measures in the human field (in german)

Measures in the animal field (in german)

Measures in the agriculture field (in german)