Cyprus continues to rank among the top countries in Europe in antibiotic consumption, something that causes significant concern within the medical community. Experts warn that the overuse and misuse of antibiotics lead to antimicrobial resistance, meaning the ability of microbes to resist medications, thereby reducing the effectiveness of treatments.
Aiming to highlight one of the greatest risks to public health, the irrational use of antibiotics, the Cyprus Society of Internal Medicine, the Cyprus Paediatric Society, the Cyprus Pharmaceutical Association, and the Cyprus Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infections announce the launch of a Public Information and Awareness Campaign with the central message: Maintaining the effectiveness of antibiotics is everyone’s responsibility!
and is supported by Medochemie.
Long-term consequences
The World Health Organization has described antimicrobial resistance as a “silent pandemic,” emphasising that it is one of the greatest global public health threats.
According to international research, by 2050 millions of people worldwide may lose their lives to infections resistant to antibiotics.
In the European Union specifically, antimicrobial resistance due to irrational antibiotic use is responsible for 35,000 deaths annually.
If we do not stop the irrational use of antibiotics, Europe may return to the pre-antibiotic era, when common bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, were effectively a death sentence.
The voice of the medical community
At a press conference announcing the campaign, the President of the Cyprus Society of Internal Medicine, Dr. Andreas Stylianou, warned that Cyprus and Greece record the highest rates of antibiotic consumption in Europe. While antibiotics were considered the miracle drugs of the 20th century, he said, in the early 21st century the global spread of antimicrobial resistance due to overconsumption has reached epidemic proportions. Infections caused by resistant microbes, Dr. Stylianou explained, can lead to severe complications or death, while also increasing hospitalisation time and healthcare costs.
Honorary President of the Cyprus Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infections, Dr. Giorgos Petrikkos, stated that despite measures such as mandatory electronic prescribing of antibiotics with justification, the situation remains negative. Cyprus is clearly among the countries with high antibiotic consumption, above the European average, and is one of the leading EU countries in antibiotic resistance.
Specifically, Dr. Petrikkos noted that Cyprus ranks first in bloodstream infections from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Regarding multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, Cyprus recorded a 659% increase in bloodstream infections from 2019 to 2024. High rates are also observed in resistant E. coli, with cases increasing 215.5% over the past five years.
President of the Cyprus Paediatric Society, Dr. Michalis Anastasiadis—also representing the Cyprus Medical Association—reported that although the use of the most common antibiotics has decreased in recent years, Cyprus is witnessing more frequent use of stronger antibiotics, which should only be administered when absolutely necessary and supported by clinical-laboratory evidence.
“We may be taking fewer antibiotics overall,” he stressed, “but unfortunately, we often take the ‘heavy’ antibiotics, with greater risk and cost.”
For this reason, he concluded, the Cyprus Medical Association and the Paediatric Society will continue to support public awareness efforts and all campaigns informing about the dangers of antibiotic misuse.
President of the Cyprus Pharmaceutical Association, Ploutarchos Georgiadis, noted that pharmacists must act as guardians of proper antibiotic use and insist that antibiotics be provided only with a medical prescription.
Pharmacists should not facilitate self-medication, must explain when an antibiotic is necessary, what the side effects are, and the proper dosage, and report any suspicious trends of insufficient use or non-compliance with instructions. He called on all citizens and healthcare professionals to work together towards responsible use.
Medochemie Business Unit Manager, Konstantinos Koudounas, stressed that antimicrobial resistance is today one of the greatest challenges for health systems worldwide. For this reason, he said, the scientific community, pharmacists, medical bodies, and both the private and public sectors are joining forces with one common goal: to inform, raise awareness, and change behaviours. “The battle against resistance,” he emphasised, “is won through education, prevention, and responsible use.”
Message to the public
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Do not misuse antibiotics.
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Antibiotics are not painkillers.
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Antibiotics are effective only against bacterial infections.
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Take antibiotics only with a medical prescription.
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Complete the full course of treatment according to your doctor’s instructions.
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Never use antibiotics prescribed for someone else or leftovers from past treatments.
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Antibiotics save lives only when used correctly. Irrational use, however, may deprive future generations of this ability.
European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD)
Marked each year in November, EAAD serves as a pan-European platform to promote the prudent use of antibiotics and raise awareness of the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. This year’s EU campaign centres on the theme From Resistance to Resilience: healthcare workers leading the change, emphasising the crucial role of healthcare professionals in managing severe infections, particularly those caused by resistant organisms. By showcasing real experiences from frontline staff and encouraging responsible antibiotic practices, the campaign aims to strengthen public understanding and support collective efforts to curb antimicrobial resistance across Europe.