Sales of veterinary antibacterial agents in nine European countries during 2005-09: trends and patterns.
OBJECTIVE
To identify trends and patterns of sales of veterinary antimicrobial agents in nine European countries during 2005-09 in order to document the situation.


METHODS
Existing sales data, in tonnes of active ingredients, of veterinary antimicrobial agents by class were collected from nine European countries in a standardized manner for the years 2005-09 (one country for 2006-09). A population correction unit (PCU) is introduced as a proxy for the animal population potentially treated with antimicrobial agents. The sales data are expressed as mg of active substance/PCU.


RESULTS
Data coverage was reported to be 98%-100% for the nine countries. Overall, sales of veterinary antimicrobials agents, in mg/PCU, declined during the reporting period in the nine countries. Substantial differences in the sales patterns and in the magnitude of sales of veterinary antimicrobial agents, expressed as mg/PCU, between the nine countries are observed. The major classes sold were penicillins, sulphonamides and tetracyclines. The sales accounted for by the various veterinary antimicrobial agents have changed substantially for most countries. An increase in the sales of third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones were observed for the majority of the countries.


CONCLUSIONS
Through re-analysis of existing data by application of a harmonized approach, an overall picture of the trends in the sales of veterinary antimicrobial agents in the nine countries was obtained. Notable differences in trends in sales between the countries were observed. Further studies, preferably including data by animal species, are needed to understand the factors that explain these observations.
European Medicines Agency, 7 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, London E14 4HB, UK. kari.grave@ema.europa.eu
Kari
K
Grave
Christina
C
Greko
Mari K
MK
Kvaale
Jordi
J
Torren-Edo
David
D
Mackay
Arno
A
Muller
Gerard
G
Moulin
D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003132:Commerce / Q000639:trends*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends*; D005060:Europe; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000379:methods*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents