Un ‘App to stop the indiscriminate use of antibiotics. THE’AIFA, the Italian drug agencylance Firstlinean application that promises to be a precious ally against the abuse of these fundamental drugs. The most recent data reveal, in fact, a worrying picture, with an increase in the consumption of these medicines And a consequent increase in bacteria resistance. A phenomenon that threatens public health and weighs heavily on the national economy.
Antibiotics abuse: the emergency in numbers
AIFA data from 2023 are merciless: As many as 22.4 out of a thousand Italians have taken on a daily dose of antibioticwith an increase of 5.4% compared to the previous year. But the problem does not only concern systemic antibiotics: The consumption of those for local use also recorded an increase of 4.3%reaching 28 medium daily doses per thousand inhabitants. There are other data, which more than surprising, very much worry specialists and doctors: These are the numbers on the most vulnerable groups. The percentage of children and young people up to 13 yearswho received at least one prescription for systemic use passes from 33.7 to 40.9%, percentage that is 48% among the over 65with an increase of 1.5% compared to 2022.
Conscious use: how it works Firstline
The new Firstline appdownloadable for free, proposes itself how A real pocket consultant for doctors and citizens. Through a traffic light system, with green, orange and red, provides precise indications on the use of these medicines For the ten most common infections between adults and children. But how does it work precisely? By selecting the infection to be treated, the app informs On the viruses or bacteria that cause it, on the most frequent symptoms, on the recommended diagnostic tests and therefore on the most appropriate pharmacological therapies. The goal is twofold: support doctors in the prescriptions and discourage self -medication, with a clear warning: never take these medicines without consulting a doctor.
The incorrect use of these drugs has a direct impact on the spread of bacterial resistance. It is essential to take them correctly (Getty)
Seasonal and geographical traps
A fact that emerges from the analysis of the drug agency, which surprises, is that The consumption of antibiotics increases significantly during the winterperiod in which flu flu and influenza virus circulate, against which antibiotics are totally ineffective. The geographical distribution is even more surprising: Southern Italy holds the primacy of consumption, without there being clear epidemiological justifications. The regions of the center and south also show a preference for broad spectrum molecules, an indication of a potential prescriptive inappropriateness.
Bacteria that resist antibiotics
The evolution of bacteria, which more and more they resist antibiotics that we have available to fight themtells an alarming story: theEscherichia colifor example, has increased the resistance to cephalosporins from 23.8% to 26.7%. But also the cases resistant to the Klebsiella Pneumoniae They climbed 55.2%, as well as those resistant to the macrolides of the pneumoniae streptococcus, raised from 20.3%to 26.2%. Unfortunately, antibiotic-resistance is not without consequences, on the contrary: 12 thousand deaths per year and economic damage estimated at 2.4 billion euros, with 2.7 million hospital beds occupied for resistant infections.
The Aware Classification: a new approach
Returning to the app, it is based on the classification of the WHO that divides antibiotics into three categories:
- Access (green): Restricted spectrum antibiotics and low risk of resistance
- Watch (orange): antibiotics with wider spectrum of action
- Reservations (red): antibiotics to be used only in cases of multiresistent infections
The goal is ambitious: increase the use of “access” antibiotics up to 65% by 2030against the current 50.8% in Italy.
A cultural and scientific challenge
The battle against the abuse of antibiotics is above all a cultural challenge. A widespread awareness is needed that these drugs must be used with extreme caution. It is fundamental Avoid self-medication And Always consult a doctor Before taking these, but all, medicines. Doctors, in turn, must prescribe antibiotics, only when strictly necessarychoosing the most appropriate drug and sensitizing patients on the importance of correct use. In this sense, the Firstline app represents a first one, important step towards a more responsible use of antibiotics. But, to reverse the course, everyone’s commitment, including citizens, is fundamental. Only through this type of approach, It will be possible to preserve the fundamental effectiveness of these special medicinesthanks to which we have defeated terrible diseases over time.
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