New report finds older Australians given more antimicrobials than wider community.  While overall, Australians are using antimicrobials less than before, there is evidence that these medicines are being prescribed at higher rates for people aged over 65, and even higher rates for people living in residential aged care homes (RACH).

Antimicrobials include all antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitic agents which are used to treat and prevent infections caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

These important findings are from a new report by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. The report, Antimicrobial use in the Community: 2023, analysed national data on dispensed prescriptions. Data from the report shows an 11.1% increase in antimicrobial use in RACHs from 2022 to 2023. It also showed that almost three-quarters of residents were given at least one antimicrobial prescription in 2023.

Read the Aged Care Safety and Quality Commission’s Chief Clinical Advisor, Dr Mandy Callary article including links to further resources.