National monitoring of veterinary antibiotic sales in Germany from 2011 to 2024

Abstract Antimicrobial resistance poses a critical global health threat requiring a coordinated One Health approach across human, animal, and environmental sectors. Monitoring antibiotic sales and use in veterinary medicine is essential to assess and guide mitigation efforts. Here, we present 15 years of systematic antibiotic sales data collection in Germany, initiated in 2011 and aligned with European regulations by 2022. Using validated, regionally detailed data reported by pharmaceutical companies and wholesalers, we observed a 67% reduction in veterinary antibiotic sales, notably following the 2014 Antibiotics Minimisation Concept. This long-term surveillance enables robust trend analysis and policy evaluation. Integrating harmonised antibiotic use and resistance data will further strengthen cross-sector surveillance, supporting targeted interventions to combat antimicrobial resistance while providing insights into environmental exposure to veterinary antibiotics.