According to data from the European antimicrobial consumption surveillance network, published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and cited by Infarmed, the dispensing of antibiotics in community pharmacies increased from an average of 18 Dose-per-Inhabitant Day (DHD) in 2023 to 19 (DHD) in 2024.

“This means that, on average, 19 daily doses are consumed per 1,000 inhabitants each day,” explains the National Authority for Medicines and Health Products (Infarmed) in a statement, noting that preliminary data for the first half of 2025 indicate a slight downward trend (18.8).

Data from the National Association of Pharmacies (ANF) provided to Lusa indicate that in 2025, up to October, the antibiotic dispensing rate in Portugal remained stable compared to 2024, following the trend of a 9% annual increase.

In absolute numbers, [number missing] doses were dispensed. 7,963,253 packages were dispensed in 2022, rising to 8,681,278 in 2023 (9%) and to 9,441,028 in 2024 (8.8%). This year, up to October, 7,175,487 packages have already been dispensed.

According to ANF, "the period of greatest demand and dispensing of antibiotics occurs in the winter months, especially between December and March, coinciding with the increase in respiratory infections and other pathologies associated with the colder months."

Regarding hospital consumption, Infarmed says it corresponded to a value of 1.7 DHD in 2023, rising to 1.8 DHD in 2024, a value that remained in the first half of 2025.

Infarmed emphasises that these data "highlight the urgency of coordinated action among all those involved to ensure the responsible use of antimicrobials," making it "imperative to promote initiatives." Joint efforts and awareness campaigns aimed at citizens and healthcare professionals to reinforce "the importance of prevention and the judicious use of antibiotics."

Reducing consumption

The European Council Recommendation of June 13, 2023, within the framework of the "One Health" approach, sets targets to reduce total antibiotic consumption in humans by 20% by 2030.

According to Infarmed, Portugal should achieve a 9% reduction in total antibiotic consumption (in DHD) by 2030 compared to 2019 (reference year).

Among the priority drugs in the fight against resistance are quinolones and carbapenems, due to the high risk of selection of multidrug-resistant microorganisms.

In Portugal, quinolone consumption remained stable between 2022 and 2024 (1.3 DHD), with a slight increase in the first half of 2025 (1.4 DHD).

The consumption of carbapenems in hospital settings remained stable. The rate of antibiotic use will remain stable between 2023 and 2024 (0.10 DHD), a value maintained in the first half of the year (preliminary data).

The State Health Secretariat, coordinator of the Program for the Prevention and Control of Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (PPCIRA), reinforces that the prudent use of antibiotics is a strategic priority, based on infection prevention, continuous surveillance, and responsible use, following the recommendations of the ECDC and the WHO.

It also highlights the importance of strengthening health literacy and mobilizing civil society to reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics.