The South Korean government plans to expand its antibiotic prescription management initiative, currently in a pilot phase at select hospitals, to all general hospitals by 2027 to combat antibiotic misuse and resistance.
In a significant response to the rising threat of antibiotic resistance, the South Korean government has announced its plans to extend a pilot project aimed at managing antibiotic prescriptions across all general hospitals by 2027. This initiative, as part of the 'Third National Antibiotic Resistance Management Plan' spanning from 2026 to 2030, was established in coordination with several governmental departments, including the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Currently, the program is being tested in 78 medical institutions, where infection specialists and pharmacists continuously monitor antibiotic prescriptions to ensure appropriate use.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported alarming statistics, indicating that antibiotic misuse in South Korea is severe, with a recorded antibiotic use of 31.8 Defined Daily Doses (DDD) per 1,000 people, significantly higher than the OECD average of 19.5 DDD. As antibiotic resistance continues to rise, there are grave concerns about public health, with estimates suggesting that approximately 22,700 deaths occurred due to antibiotic resistance in 2021, likely escalating to 32,400 by 2030 if the trends are not addressed.
To further curb antibiotic use, the government plans to distribute treatment guidelines to primary care facilities and strengthen prescription regulations in the agriculture and aquaculture sectors. This comprehensive public health strategy aims to combine enhanced management of antibiotic prescriptions, improved vaccination rates, and a stronger focus on infection prevention as key measures in reducing reliance on antibiotics and preventing health deterioration due to resistance.
