Cyprus Ministry of Health announces measures against overprescription of antibiotics

On December 18, 2025, the Ministry of Health in Cyprus presented a set of measures at a press conference aimed at combating antimicrobial resistance and the excessive prescription of antibiotics by doctors.

According to the announced plan, all hospitals in Cyprus, both public and private, are required to establish infection control committees and antimicrobial stewardship teams. Institutions will submit annual reports describing actions taken and target indicators for reducing antibiotic consumption and preventing microbial resistance.

The Ministry is launching an electronic platform to collect data on hospital-acquired infections and antibiotic consumption for continuous monitoring and the adoption of additional measures if necessary. As part of the national strategy, training seminars for healthcare workers have already been held; 60 nurses have received qualifications to participate in hospital committees and teams.

Representatives of the pharmaceutical community, including former president of the Pancyprian Pharmaceutical Association Eleni Issegiou, called for monitoring the overprescription of antibiotics in primary care as well and extending the new programs to this area. The Health Insurance Organization (HIO) reported that it is already implementing a monitoring program using questionnaires that doctors fill out when prescribing antibiotics.

According to data presented at the conference, approximately 4.3 million people worldwide die each year due to antimicrobial resistance, and about 20% of infections are considered preventable.