Greece’s sad first in antibiotic abuse, microbial resistance and deaths from in -hospital infections was highlighted in the context of a poll conducted by Kapa Research in April 2025, on behalf of the ISA for the sixth consecutive year, in the context of the year.

Greece since 2011 has been, among European countries, at the top of the list of antibiotics, with a dangerous percentage of 75% in adults, but also in children and adolescents under 18, compared to 48% in 2015. by reducing the reckless use of antibiotics.

The Greeks pay this record with the vertical growth of microbial strength that “obey” antibiotics, damaged microbial flora, side effects on vital organs, and especially allergic reactions, and of course the death of 2000 infections.
The above was highlighted during a press conference organized by the Athens Medical Association, in collaboration with the work team for the microbial resistance of the Hellenic Society of Chemotherapy and the Greek Inter -Municipal Network of Healthy Cities.

According to the ISA and EDDYPY President George Patoulis, the polls have been conducted since 2013 in cooperation with KAPA Research. They are based on a similar questionnaire and are a tool that guides the goals set by ISA to tackle the dangerous phenomenon of over -consumption of antibiotics in our country and the increase in microbial strength.
“Over -consumption of antibiotics is one of the most serious public health problems, as it leads to the development of resistant microbial executives, which make it more and more difficult to treat common infections. Unfortunately, in our country, antibiotic consumption remains at particularly high levels, often without a medical prescription and without the necessary diagnostic indications, “the ISA president pointed out and added:
“The good thing is that the compulsory prescription measure, suggested by ISA and was successfully adopted by the state, has reduced to 3% compared to 16% of the antibiotic supply of antibiotics from pharmacies. However, as the data in the latest survey record, 75% of adults, consistently in recent years, states that it has received at least once antibiotic, the preceding time. This percentage is increased compared to 2013, where 50% respectively stated that it received antibiotic the preceding time. “
For its part, Om. Professor of Pathology-Infections of the EKPA, EC President Eleni Yamarellou stressed that consumption remains high and said:

  • Over time, one in four supplies antibiotics, without first visiting the doctor.
  • The percentage that citizens maintain antibiotics at home, for emergency, decreased to 22% from 36% in the last decade.
  • However, at 11% the antibiotic reception rate increased to 11%, which citizens maintain at home from previous use, compared to 9% in 2013.
  • The retrospective recording was made by 7% from 7% in 2021 to 5%.

  • 66% of respondents (2025), who could remember which antibiotic they received, said they took amoxycillin or amoxycillin-clavulanic, antibiotics that are steadily the most commonly used over the last 10 years.

  • The causes that lead to the consumption of antibiotics:

The recent poll is observed in the reasons that lead to antibiotic.

Specifically:

  • Dental problems, with 58-61%, emerge as the most common cause of antibiotic administration.
  • Following are the symptoms of the upper (57%) and lower respiratory (sinusitis) (46%).
  • Only 10% of the syndrome and diarrhea syndrome report antibiotic intake.
  • The Covid -9 disease, in the preceding year, presented a mild image and led to an antibiotic intake of only 1.5%.

Participants responded to 69%that they were informed of over -consumption and unnecessary use of antibiotics, the need for prescription (71%) and the effects of microbial strength (51%).
Om. Professor of Pathology-Infections of the EKPA, EEX President Eleni Yamarellou, focusing on solutions and achievable goals, so that our country’s negative first leads and reduce endurance stressed that the use of compulsory and repetitive education should be emphasized. Ms. Yamarellou emphasized that doctors should follow the basic principles for prescription, and in particular:
Doctors prescribing (in advance and retrospectively) to apply continuous, compulsory and recycled 3 -year training on the subject of infections and antimicrobial therapy.
Education in antimicrobial therapy (prescription) should start in the last 2 years of study for both future doctors and pharmacists.

  • Avoid storage and take antibiotics at home. The prescription doctors should also participate in this, educating their patients accordingly.
  • Implement the Strep Test – only by the clinical physician – to patients with pharyngoamidalitis, for the proper diagnosis of streptococcal infection.
  • Increase the vaccine coverage of adults for pneumococcus, RSV (respiratory virus) and influenza, which incorrectly lead to over -consumption of antibiotics.

Ms. Yamarellou concluded, stressing that the hypermalobia, with the resistant generations lined up to antibiotics, due to microbial endurance, are an enemy that is spreading rapidly and the medical community must save its weapons.
The epidemiological prediction in recent world analysis that, between 2025 and 2050, more than 200cm. People will die for the cause of antibiotic germs infections (Lancet 16.9.2024) indicates that the countdown has begun and strict programs are required.
The teacher emphasized that the contribution of journalists and the power of the press and the media would be a strong ally and significant intervention in this effort. He needs perseverance and consistency, he said.
The systematic and thorough highlight of the problem and repetitive information on the proper use of antibiotics can have a decisive effect on citizen education and persuade the public to gradually change mentality. Also, the constant reminder of the message, through the promotion of information poster to the public in the media (eg televisions, websites), the MMMs (eg meter, buses) and pharmacies will enhance the target. A typical example is the case of Denmark, where with intensive campaigns in the press, the consumption of ampicillin was reduced by 77%.

See the survey here