Box 1 WHO categories of antibiotics – descriptions
From: Consumption of antibiotics in Brazil - an analysis of sales data between 2014 and 2019
Group | Definition |
|---|---|
Access group | First- and second-choice antibiotics that should be widely available in all countries. They should be affordable and quality assured. |
Watch group | First- and second-choice antibiotics that only should be used for a specific, limited number of indications due to higher resistance potential. |
Reserve group | Last resort antibiotics that should be used only when other antibiotics have failed or for infections of multi-resistant bacteria. |