Tackling antibiotic resistance "is now critical, with the establishment of resistance to the last line of antibiotics being reported to the ECDC from several European countries for the first time", Marc Sprenger, ECDC director, told reporters at a press conference. "Failure to act will mean that treatment options for patients will be severely limited." 

The European Commission's strategy focuses on stamping out inappropriate use of antimicrobials in humans and animals -- for example, administration of the drugs for the wrong reasons or incorrectly. In particular, the strategy calls on EU countries to ensure that antibiotics are available through medical or veterinary prescription only. 

"The overuse of antibiotics is one of the major drivers of the existence of resistant bacteria", Sprenger told reporters.

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