Antibiotic resistance is "a top
priority" to the Italian government which is being approached in
a 'two-front' method, Italian Health Minister Beatrice Lorenzin
at a press conference on Tuesday.
"Antibiotic resistance is a global problem, it is a cause
of death, and we know how much death by infection contracted in
hospital", Lorenzin said, adding "we have been addressing the
issue as a primary point of our agenda together with vaccines
since I have been minister, but only now is it on the front
page, but it should be addressed more often".
Lorenzin's comments follow a study released by the British
government on Monday. According to the study, 80,000 people
risk death if there were a "widespread outbreak" of an
antibiotic-resistant blood infection.
The Health Minister said that the Health Ministry has a
two-front approach in combating antibiotic resistance, comprised
of both public health education and food production controls.
The implementation of electronic prescriptions that reduce
public health wait times have helped to increase public
motivation in getting antibiotics.
Additionally, the government has strict controls on farms
and subsequently food products which are subject to antibiotic
use, in particular meat.
"We are doing a great job but even more must done. In the
last three years the amount antibiotics in meat has been reduced
by 30%, but it is not enough", Lorenzin said.
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