Figures from the European antimicrobial consumption surveillance network, released today by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and cited by Infarmed, reveal that the dispensing of antibiotics in community pharmacies rose from an average of 18 Defined Daily Doses (DDD) per 1,000 inhabitants in 2023 to 19 DDD in 2024.
“This indicates that, on average, 19 daily doses are consumed per 1,000 inhabitants each day,” explains the National Authority of Medicines and Health Products (Infarmed) in a statement, noting that preliminary data from the first half of 2025 indicate a slight decrease to 18.8 DDD.
Data from the National Association of Pharmacies (ANF) show that in 2025, up until October, the rate of antibiotic dispensing in Portugal remained stable compared to 2024, continuing the trend of a 9% annual increase.
In absolute terms, 7,963,253 packages were dispensed in 2022, increasing to 8,681,278 in 2023 (9% increase) and to 9,441,028 in 2024 (8.8% increase). This year, up until October, 7,175,487 packages have been dispensed.
The ANF notes that “the peak period for antibiotic demand and dispensing occurs in winter months, particularly from December to March, coinciding with the rise in respiratory infections and other pathologies associated with colder months.”
Regarding hospital consumption, Infarmed reports it was 1.7 DDD in 2023, rising to 1.8 DDD in 2024, a figure that remained steady in the first half of 2025.
Infarmed emphasizes that these figures “highlight the urgency for coordinated action among all stakeholders to ensure the responsible use of antimicrobials,” stressing the importance of promoting joint initiatives and awareness campaigns aimed at citizens and health professionals to reinforce “the importance of prevention and judicious use of antibiotics.”
The European Council’s recommendation of 13 June 2023 under the “One Health” approach sets targets to reduce total antibiotic consumption in humans by 20% by 2030.
According to Infarmed, Portugal aims to achieve a 9% reduction in total antibiotic consumption (in DDD) by 2030 compared to 2019 (the reference year).
Key medicines in combating resistance include quinolones and carbapenems, due to their high risk of selecting multi-resistant microorganisms.
In Portugal, quinolone consumption remained stable from 2022 to 2024 at 1.3 DDD, with a slight increase in the first half of 2025 to 1.4 DDD.
Hospital consumption of carbapenems remained stable between 2023 and 2024 at 0.10 DDD, unchanged in the first half of 2025 (preliminary data).
The Directorate-General of Health, coordinating the Antimicrobial Infection Prevention and Control Program (PPCIRA), reinforces that prudent antibiotic use is a strategic priority based on infection prevention, continuous surveillance, and responsible use, following the recommendations of the ECDC and WHO.
It also underscores the importance of enhancing health literacy and mobilizing civil society to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use.
The significance of this will be marked by a national digital awareness campaign, promoted by Infarmed in partnership with the Directorate-General of Health and the National Health Institute Ricardo Jorge.
Meanwhile, today marks the VI National Conference of PPCIRA, addressing national priorities in infection prevention, responsible antimicrobial use, and Portugal’s response to European targets.
