The OECD on Thursday called on
Italy to take action to combat the "excessive and inappropriate
prescription of antibiotics" saying that this is contributing to
antibiotic resistance.
"In 2017, the total volume of antibiotics prescribed in
primary care was 28 defined daily doses per 1 000 population per
day, the second highest in the OECD, compared to an average
of 18 across OECD countries," the OECD said in its Health at a
Glance 2019 report.
"Antibiotic resistance affects patient safety in
hospitals.
"Italy has higher than average rates of health
care-associated infections (HAI), with nearly 6% of hospitalised
patients having at least one HAI. HAIs can be deadly, and cost
up to 6% of public hospital budgets.
"Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can make HAIs difficult or
even impossible to treat.
"There is a need to implement policies to combat
the spread of antimicrobial resistance".
The report also called on Italy to prepare its health system
for a rapidly ageing population, due to declining fertility
rates and sustained growth in life expectancy.
The share of the population aged 65 and over is now the fifth
highest across OECD countries, accounting for over
20% of the population, it said.
By 2050, more than one in eight people will be 80 or older in
Italy.
The report said Italy currently has the second highest
prevalence of dementia across the OECD (23 per 1 000
population) and that,bBy 2050, projections estimate that
more than one in 25 people will be living with dementia.
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