Usage of antibacterial and antiparasitic drugs in animals in Sweden between 1988 and 1993

Abstract

The total usage of antibacterial and antiparasitic drugs in animals in Sweden between 1988 and 1993 was assessed. The data for the antibacterial drugs were divided among the different classes of drug used each year. Special attention was paid to the use of antibacterial drugs in feeding stuffs and to their use in pigs and fish. During the period studied, the total usage of antibacterial drugs remained stable at approximately 35 tonnes of active substance annually. The use of antibacterial drugs for growth-promoting purposes was prohibited in Sweden in 1986 and became available by veterinary prescription only. As a result the total amount used annually has decreased and stabilised at a level about 35 per cent lower than before the ban. Important changes during 1988 to 1993 were a doubled usage of tetracyclines and a 50 per cent decrease in the use of olaquindox. The five major classes of antibacterial drugs used in 1993 were benzyl penicillin (13.2 tonnes), tetracyclines (8.8 tonnes), olaquindox (3.5 tonnes), sulphonamides (2.0 tonnes) and aminoglycosides (1.9 tonnes). The total annual usage of coccidiostatic drugs, mainly used in the poultry industry, was stable at approximately 10 tonnes, while the usage of other antiparasitic drugs increased slightly to 7.7 tonnes.