Community Antimicrobial Use
The majority of antimicrobial use in Australia occurs in the community, that is in general practice, community health services, aged care homes and other non-hospital settings.
Latest report
The latest community antimicrobial use report was released in August 2024 and provides analyses of antimicrobials supplied under the PBS and RPBS in 2023, and highlights aged care and local area data.
Overview
Data on antimicrobial use and appropriateness in the community are collected via the:
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and the Repatriation PBS (RPBS)
- MedicineInsight program
- Aged Care National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey.
There are limited data available on the indications for which antimicrobials are prescribed, and for private prescriptions as they are not subsidised by the PBS and RPBS. This is an important gap in the surveillance of antimicrobial use and appropriateness in Australia.
