According to QuintilesIMS, the company created with the merger of the IMS Health consultancy and integrated health service company Quintiles, between October 2015 and September 2016 Portuguese pharmacies sold 8.5 million packages of antibiotics.

Revenue from antibiotics sales in the period totalled €61 million, compared to €65 million the previous year, or a 4% drop year on year.

Broad spectrum penicillin accounted for 41% of all antibiotics sales by value.

European Antibiotic Day is intended to promote appropriate use of antibiotics and to raise awareness among patients about the risks of self-medication.

Drug agency Infarmed and the Heath Directorate (DGS) have partnered for an Internet and social media campaign to increase awareness about the alarming increase of antibiotic resistant bacteria seen across Europe.