The Ministry of Health announced important changes to the standards for the use of antibiotics

The Ministry of Health of Ukraine (MoH) has announced important changes to the standards for the use of antibiotics to ensure rational and effective use of these medicines. The amendments cover the antibiotics ceftriaxone and levofloxacin, which are now classified as "reserve group antibiotics". The innovation provides for their limited use as the first choice, especially in cases of empirical prescription or prophylaxis when the causative agent of infection is not identified.

Physicians are now required to carry out pre-authorization procedures, including written justification and approval by a clinical pharmacist, to prescribe these antibiotics. In this context, the best justification for pre-authorization is the results of microbiological tests.

An additional important change is the principle of choosing an antibiotic based on the results of a bacteriological test. This will allow doctors to more effectively determine the optimal drug for a particular case. For example, if a bacterium is sensitive to several antibiotics, the choice should be made for the antibiotic with a lower risk of developing antibiotic resistance.

In addition, the Ministry of Health provides doctors with the opportunity to administer antibiotics intramuscularly if necessary.

Starting in 2024, experts from the Centers for Disease Prevention will evaluate hospitals based on four quality indicators. These indicators will help to assess the correctness of the choice and use of antibiotics, helping to understand the level of compliance with the new standards and develop measures for their further improvement.

These changes in antibiotic use standards are aimed at improving the quality of medical care and effective treatment of infectious diseases in Ukraine.