Dan Boyle
Question:38 Mr. Boyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she is taking to reduce the use of antibiotics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31708/04]
View answerThursday, 2 December 2004
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Prescriptions are issued by health professionals based on the symptoms of the presenting patient at the time of consultation. The level of medication prescribed, therefore, is a matter of clinical decision for the particular doctor involved.
At my Department's request, the National Disease Surveillance Centre, NDSC, drew up a strategy for the control of antimicrobial resistance in Ireland, SARI, in 2001, including a strategy to control the inappropriate use of antibiotics. The SARI recommendations can be grouped into five main categories: surveillance of antimicrobial resistance; monitoring of the supply and use of antimicrobials; development of guidance in relation to the appropriate use of antimicrobials; education of health care workers, patients and the general public; and development of principles in relation to infection control in the hospital and community setting.
A national SARI committee was established in 2002 to develop guidelines, protocols and strategies in relation to antimicrobial resistance. It provides advice to the regional SARI committees established in each health board as part of the strategy's recommendations.
Tackling the problem of antimicrobial resistance is a multi-faceted issue which will require action on a number of fronts. The strategy is being implemented on a phased basis and will take a number of years to complete. To date, approximately €16 million has been allocated by my Department to health boards to enable them to put in place measures to control antimicrobial resistance. It is ultimately a matter for health board CEOs to determine the priorities in each region. These priorities should take account of the recommendations in the SARI report and also the recommendations put forward by each regional SARI committee. Much of the funding is designated for improving hospital infrastructure for control of infection and for appointing additional microbiologists, infection control nurses and other health care professionals involved in the control of infection.