He describes antibiotic resistance as “one of the biggest and most underestimated threats of our time.”
For almost 100 years, antibiotics have been the foundation of modern healthcare, but one of humanity's greatest achievements is slipping out of our hands, says Forssmed at a press conference.
One million died in 2019
In 2019, over a million people died worldwide as a direct result of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. And although resistance is low in Sweden, it is also increasing here, according to Forssmed.
We cannot eradicate resistance. Bacteria will change and adapt, but we can delay and limit resistance.
The new national strategy includes 17 overall goals over ten years. It is clear that it has a more preventive focus than previous strategies.
A target of a maximum of 250 prescriptions per thousand inhabitants per year to be written in outpatient care by 2035 is being introduced. According to Forssmed, this is approximately the same level as Sweden is at today. Diagnostics will also become more precise in order to be able to use the right kind of antibiotics more quickly.
It also includes goals for preventive measures, including ensuring that childhood vaccination coverage does not fall below the current level of 95 percent.
Reduced number of infections
Targets for healthcare-associated infections in Sweden are also included: the average is to be reduced by a third. Elderly care is also highlighted as important in preventing infections.
Another goal is to increase public awareness. Among other things, everyone should know that it should only be used after prescription, that you take the full course of medication, and that you should not bring antibiotics home after traveling abroad.
The strategy also includes efforts against other resistance, including fungi with multi-resistant strains that are increasing in other countries and which can cause severe complications.
It is also starting to reach Sweden, says Forssmed.
This summer, the government also announced that Sweden is purchasing an antibiotics factory to ensure the availability of important medicines during crisis situations, among other things. The purchase was completed in August this year through state-owned APL.
Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria.
Overuse of antibiotics has led to some bacteria becoming resistant.
When the bacteria encounter the antibiotic, they can develop resistance by mutating. Then the patient needs to switch to a strain that works. But in the long run, new mutations arise – and eventually, in the worst case, there is nothing left to switch to.
The risk of resistance is reduced if antibiotics are not used unnecessarily and if the bacteria are not exposed to doses that are too low or too short.
By 2050, 70,000 Swedes are expected to be affected by resistant bacteria each year, according to the Swedish Public Health Agency.
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics, resistance, is classified by the WHO as one of the greatest threats to human health and is sometimes called a "silent pandemic".
Sources: National Encyclopedia, Healthcare Guide.
