Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption and Use

Surveillance of antimicrobial consumption (AMC) and antimicrobial use (AMU) is crucial to combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a global health threat driven by the inappropriate and excessive use of antibiotics in both humans and animals. AMC refers to aggregated data on antimicrobial volumes, while AMU involves patient- or farm-level usage details. Monitoring the AMC is vital for assessing prescribing patterns, stewardship efforts, and the impact of policies. Global frameworks, such as the WHO’s GLASS, WOAH’s ANIMUSE, and Europe’s ESVAC, provide standardised methodologies for data collection, comparison, and reporting. Despite progress, especially in Europe, surveillance in many low- and middle-income countries remains limited, hindered by inadequate infrastructure, fragmented ownership, and inconsistent methodologies. Accurate AMC and AMU data link consumption with resistance trends, guiding stewardship, regulatory interventions, and global commitments to reduce the use of antibiotics in animals and humans. Innovative solutions—including standardised metrics, One Health integration, digital technologies, and advanced modelling—are essential to strengthen surveillance. Robust AMC and AMU estimation ensures accountability, informs global reduction targets, and safeguards the effectiveness of antibiotics for both human and animal health.