A new report on antimicrobial medicines use in Australia has revealed a sustained pattern of high use in some of the most disadvantaged suburbs in major cities.

Consistently high use compared with other areas was identified in 22 suburbs including Mount Druitt, St Marys and Fairfield in New South Wales; Ipswich Inner, Beenleigh and Browns Plains in Queensland; and Sunbury and Tullamarine-Broadmeadows in Victoria. Three-quarters of these areas are in the lowest quintile of socioeconomic status.

For the first time, the report analyses antimicrobial dispensing over five years at Primary Health Network and local area levels as well as national and state levels.

While the report shows a promising 13.3% drop in national antimicrobial dispensing over five years, Australia’s use of antimicrobials on any given day remains high by international standards – more than double that of The Netherlands or Sweden.

Access the full interactive report to explore and benchmark antimicrobial use in your area.