From June 30, 2018 until July 1, 2019, 311 prescriptions for antibiotics per 1,000 inhabitants in Skåne were printed. There are 60 more prescriptions than the target set by Strama, a national association to combat antibiotic resistance, and 80 more than Västerbotten, which is the region that prints the least number of prescriptions.

- Part of the explanation is that metropolitan regions have higher prescriptions in both Sweden and other countries. It has to do with pathways of infection and access to doctors, says Oskar Smede, a district physician and member of Strama's local outpatient group in Skåne.

Big difference in Skåne

The more antibiotics that circulate in society, the greater the risk of bacteria becoming resistant and unaffected by the drugs when really needed. Therefore, antibiotic prescribing has emerged as an important social issue in recent years.

- But there are also big differences within Skåne, even within cities in Skåne. For example, there is a very big difference between health centers in Malmö, says Oskar Smede.

A question for the management

- Part of the explanation is that patients look different. Another explanation is that it looks different with the staffing, for example we know that where there is much need for hiring physicians, the prescription increases. But then it is a management issue. If management focuses on the issue, prescribing is reduced.

What can be done to get closer to the goals?

- What you need to do is bring the issue up on the agenda and that it must be prioritized. Doctors must receive training and the opportunity to work based on conditions that will reduce prescribing, says Oskar Smede.