| Class or subclass | Example substances | Example ATCvet codes | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tetracyclines | Chlortetracycline, doxycycline, oxytetracycline | QJ01AA, QG01A | 515 | 529 | 516 | 524 | 638 | 748 | 573 | 661 | 594 | 574 |
| Aminopenicillins | Amoxicillin | QJ01CA, QJ01CR | 677 | 638 | 670 | 643 | 759 | 664 | 612 | 652 | 644 | 741 |
| Benzylpenicillina | Benzylpenicillin, cloxacillin, phenoxymethylpenicillin | QJ01CE, QJ01R, QJ51 | 5620 | 5591 | 5597 | 5525 | 5795 | 5872 | 5130 | 5024 | 5315 | 5138 |
| Cephalosporins | Cefalexin, cefovecin, ceftiofur | QJ01D | 242 | 210 | 187 | 161 | 163 | 164 | 150 | 114 | 132 | 129 |
| Trimethoprim and sulphonamides | Sulfadiazine, sulfadoxine, sulphamethoxazole, trimethoprim | QJ01E, QA07AB | 1961 | 2009 | 1839 | 1739 | 1803 | 1715 | 1417 | 1494 | 1461 | 1461 |
| Macrolides and lincosamides | Gamithromycin, tulathromyin, tylosin, clindamycin, lincomycin | QJ01F | 472 | 527 | 581 | 486 | 449 | 419 | 400 | 407 | 353 | 364 |
| Aminoglycosides | Dihydrostreptomycin, framycetin, gentamicin, neomycin, paromomycin | QJ01G, QA07AA, QJ01R, QJ51R | 312 | 302 | 376 | 343 | 404 | 366 | 506 | 661 | 514 | 540 |
| Fluoroquinolones | Enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin | QJ01MA | 30 | 25 | 30 | 21 | 28 | 22 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
| Amphenicols, pleuromutilins, and polymyxins | Florfenicol, tiamulin, colistin | QA07AA,QJ01BA, QJ01XQ | 337 | 149 | 220 | 114 | 137 | 69 | 60 | 45 | 60 | 93 |
| All classes | - | - | 10165 | 9981 | 10016 | 9557 | 10175 | 10039 | 8865 | 9074 | 9088 | 9053 |
| a Includes small amounts of phenoxymethylpenicillin and penicillinase stable penicillins. | ||||||||||||
2 Sales of antibiotics in animals
2.1 Brief comments on data sources, methodology and confidentiality
In Sweden, all veterinary medicinal products are sold by pharmacies. All pharmacies are obliged to report all sales of medicinal and veterinary medicinal products to the Swedish eHealth Agency, which maintains a database of sales from pharmacies to animal owners (prescriptions dispensed) and veterinarians (requisition for use in practice).
For confidentiality reasons, sales of antibiotic classes with less than three products on the market have been aggregated in Table 2.1.
The sales of veterinary medicinal products for mixing into feed used in aquaculture for food production are not included in the data referred to above, as such feed is traded from other countries. Data on prescriptions for fish are collected through a separate system, described in Comments by animal species, Fish.
Further details on data sources and inclusion criteria are given in Chapter 6 - Materials and methods, sales of antibiotics.
2.2 Trends in animal populations
Changes in the numbers of animals may affect trends in antibiotics sales statistics. Compared to 2016, the number of pigs slaughtered in 2025 was approximately the same, while the number of broilers increased by 13%. The number of dairy cows decreased by 11% during the same period. The number of horses was estimated to 355 500 in 2016. In January 2026, the number of dogs was estimated to 951 000 and the number of cats to 1 582 000.
Further details on animal numbers and data sources can be found in Chapter 6 - Demographics and denominator data.
2.3 Completeness of data
Until 2009, pharmacies in Sweden were run as a monopoly by a state-owned cooperation. In July 2009, the Swedish pharmacy market was re-regulated and many pharmacies compete on the market today. Some of these have niched in veterinary medicinal products and they are allowed to sell remotely to animal owners and veterinarians.
At the time of the re-regulation, the responsibility of collecting sales data from pharmacies was transferred from the monopoly to a state-owned infrastructure company, and again in 2014 to the newly formed Swedish eHealth Agency. All pharmacies have a legal obligation to report all sales of medicinal and veterinary medicinal products to the Swedish eHealth Agency and are supervised by the Medical Products Agency.
Between 2010 and 2015, there were two different problems resulting in a lack of completeness of data. Sales of products sold on special license were incomplete between 2011 and 2013 due to a system change. In 2013, concerns were also raised about a more general lack of completeness in the sales reported by pharmacies. The overall lack of completeness was estimated by SVA in collaboration with Marketing Authorisation Holders and was in the range of 5 to 10%. The problem persisted until 2015. A lack of completeness was also identified for 2017-2021. The cause was identified and corrected. Consequently, data for that period have been updated as of Swedres-Svarm 2022. Furthermore, the difference between 2021 and 2022 was inexplicably large (-12%). Despite a thorough search, no errors were identified, and there was no indication of a corresponding decrease in sales of non-antibiotic veterinary medicinal products. For more information, see Swedres-Svarm 2022.
2.3.1 Overall sales
The total yearly sales of antibiotics for animals over the last decade are presented in Table 2.1. The potencies of different antibiotics are not equal and each class should therefore be evaluated separately.
In 2025, the proportion of sales on prescription, measured in kg active substance, was 63%, while the remainder was sold on requisition from pharmacies.
Of the overall sales expressed as kg active substance, around 90% are products formulated for treatment of individual animals (injectables, tablets, intramammaries etc.) and around 10% for treatment of groups or flocks (premixes, oral powders or solutions for in-water medication). In 2025, the total reported sales from Swedish pharmacies of antibiotics authorised for veterinary use were 9 053 kg, of which 57% were benzylpenicillin. The corresponding figures for 2016 were 10 165 kg and 55%, respectively.
Since 2016, sales of most classes of antibiotics have decreased or remained relatively stable (Table 2.1). Compared to 2024, however, sales of aminopenicillins increased in 2025, mainly due to increased sales for poultry, as well as proportionally smaller increases in sales for pigs, dogs and cats.
Since the withdrawal of veterinary medicinal products with high levels of zinc oxide in 2022, sales of aminoglycosides have increased in Sweden, reflecting an increased use of aminoglycosides for treatment of post-weaning diarrhoea in pigs. After reaching a peak in 2023, sales decreased in 2024 followed by a slight increase in 2025, see Comments on data by animal species, Pigs.
Sales on special license
The Swedish market for veterinary antibiotics is small, and for some therapy areas there are no suitable products authorised nationally. In such cases, products may be sold on special license and used in accordance with article 116 and articles 112-114 of Regulation (EU) 2019/6. An example is products for treatment of post-weaning diarrhoea in pigs via water, where aminoglycoside products from other countries are sold on special license. Furthermore, for some substance-formulation types, there are only one or two products with general marketing authorisation. When there are shortages of such products on the Swedish market, similar products sold on special license are used. For example, two nationally authorised injectable products with trimethoprim-sulphonamides were unavailable on the market from 2019 until late 2024.
The proportion of sales of products on special license of the total sales of antibiotics for animals, in kg active substance, has fluctuated over the years. Between 2016 and 2025, that proportion varied between 3% and 14%, with the peak in 2023 and a subsequent decline to 8% in 2025 (Figure 2.1). The renewed availability of products with marketing authorisations in that class explains the reduction of products sold on special license in 2024 and 2025.
2.3.2 Population corrected data
To correct for changes in the numbers of animals over time, a population correction unit (PCU), described in a publication from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), was applied (European Medicines Agency (EMA) 2011). The PCU is a purely technical term representing an approximation of the summed live weight of the major animal populations, excluding companion animals.
In Figure 2.2, the total sales of antibiotics for animals (including sales for companion animals) from 1980 onwards are presented as mg of active substance per PCU, using figures for 2024 as a proxy for PCU in 2025. As sales for use in aquaculture are not included in the data presented, fish have been excluded from the PCU given in the annual ESUAvet reports and the previous ESVAC reports. Another difference from data published in the ESUAvet and ESVAC reports is that data on products for use in companion animals are included in Figure 2.2.
Measured in mg per PCU, the overall sales were around 70% lower in 2025 compared to the average for 1980-1984 (i.e. before the Swedish ban on growth-promoting antimicrobials in 1986). This is explained first by the removal of growth-promoting antimicrobials in 1986, followed by a gradual but major decrease in the sales of veterinary products for group medication via feed or water from the mid-1990s onward. A decrease in sales of products for individual medication was also noted in the past two decades.
The Antimicrobial ad hoc expert group (AMEG) of EMA considers 3rd generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and polymyxins to be classes of antibiotics for which there should be special restrictions regarding their use in animals (category B; restrict) (European Medicines Agency (EMA) 2025). Since 2016, the sales of these antibiotics, expressed as mg/PCU, have decreased considerably and remained below, or well below, 0.1 mg/PCU. For the 3rd generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, the decrease is explained by a Swedish regulation that, since 2013, has limited veterinarians’ rights to prescribe or use these types of antimicrobials (SJVFS 2023:21). Regarding polymyxins, the findings of transferable resistance to colistin were communicated to stakeholders during 2016 and onwards. An awareness among prescribers of the importance of this class of antimicrobials for public health, and of the potential consequences of transferable resistance, is a probable explanation for the observed decrease. Use of colistin has increasingly been replaced with use of antibiotics in other classes, e.g. aminoglycosides. Since late 2023, veterinarians’ right to prescribe polymyxins has also been restricted by regulation SJVFS 2023:21.
2.4 Comments on data by animal species
2.4.1 Pigs
Antibiotics for pigs are predominantly sold on veterinary prescription by pharmacies to the animal owner and the intended target species is recorded by the dispensing pharmacy. Sales reported by pharmacies as prescriptions for pigs are therefore believed to closely reflect sales for commercial herds.
In 2016 and 2025, the sales of antibiotics for pigs (pet pigs included) were 2 874 and 3 297 kg active substance, respectively, or 12.3 and 13.2 mg/kg slaughtered pig. Around 76% of the total sales for pigs were products for use in individual animals, and of these, 67% were products containing benzylpenicillin. Sales of fluoroquinolones were negligible, and no cephalosporins were sold for pigs in 2025. In Sweden, products with polymyxins (colistin) for oral use are only used for pigs. As noted under Chapter 6 - Population corrected data, a marked decrease in sales has been noted since 2016 and sales are today very low and most likely limited to cases where no alternatives are available.
The apparent increase in total consumption is largely explained by an increased need to treat post-weaning diarrhoea following the 2022 withdrawal of products with high levels of zinc oxide, which were previously used in feed for diarrhoea prevention. Sales of products containing aminoglycosides for oral group treatment have increased, and notably, the occurrence of neomycin resistance in Escherichia coli from pigs (see Antibiotic resistance in animals, Clinical isolates from Animals, Pigs) has recently necessitated the introduction of apramycin use in Sweden.
The sales of relevant products, containing neomycin, paromomycin, apramycin or colistin for oral group treatment, classified under ATCvet code QA07AA and all sold on special license, both on prescription requisition, have been explored. Course doses were calculated by multiplying the dosage indicated in the product information of each product by an assumed standard weight of 12 kg for weaner pigs and a treatment duration of 3 days. The number of course doses sold in one month was divided by the number of pigs slaughtered five months later and the average number of course doses per 1 000 slaughtered pigs per quarter from 2019 to Q1 2026 is shown in Figure 2.3. When interpreting the data, it is important to note that actual use of the products may take place later than the sales.
2.4.2 Chickens
Antibiotics are rarely used for treatment of bacterial diseases in commercially reared Gallus gallus. Localised outbreaks can therefore have a major influence on sales in a specific year. Over the last ten years, the yearly sales of fluoroquinolones for slaughter chickens and hens have been below, or well below, 0.25 kg. Cephalosporins or colistin have never been used in broiler production in Sweden.
From 2011, the Swedish poultry meat association requests all treatments of broilers, parents and grandparents to be reported as part of the Poultry health control programme. The programme covers more than 98% of the broilers reared in commercial production. The number of treated flocks and the number of flocks produced per year are shown in Table 2.2. In 2025, 30 flocks were reported as treated, which is considerably higher compared to the previous five years. Of these, 21 flocks were administered amoxicillin against colibacillosis, eight flocks were administered trimethoprim-sulphonamide against colibacillosis and one flock was administered phenoxymethylpenicillin against necrotic enteritis. In addition, seventeen parent flocks were treated, mainly against arthritis; 15 flocks were administered phenoxymethylpenicillin, one was administered trimethoprim-sulphonamide and one was administered amoxicillin.
| Year | Number of flocks produced | Number of flocks treated |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 3133 | 4 |
| 2014 | 3138 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3191 | 28 |
| 2016 | 3300 | 14 |
| 2017 | 3300 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3223 | 4 |
| 2019 | 3368 | 54 |
| 2020 | 3557 | 11 |
| 2021 | 3684 | 13 |
| 2022 | 3470 | 10 |
| 2023 | 3490 | 9 |
| 2024 | 3621 | 5 |
| 2025 | 3715 | 30 |
The reported antibiotic use in 2025 corresponds to 0.08 mg active substance per kg slaughtered chicken. The most common substance used was trimethoprim-sulphonamide.
Coccidiostats of the ionophore group are used as feed additives to control coccidiosis in the production of chickens for slaughter and in turkeys. Since the late 1980s, narasin has been by far the most widely used substance for broilers.
2.4.3 Fish
Medicated feed for fish is always traded from other Nordic countries. Therefore, the quantities sold are not captured by the national pharmacy sales collected by the Swedish eHealth Agency. Records of prescription of veterinary medicines for fish are collected annually by the veterinarian coordinating the limited number of veterinarians that deal with farmed fish, and the results are reported annually to the Swedish Board of Agriculture. However, it is not known whether the full amount prescribed was actually dispensed.
The occurrence of bacterial disease in farmed fish is influenced by water temperatures in summer and the amounts prescribed may therefore vary between the years. Antibiotics prescribed in 2025 were products with florfenicol, oxolinic acid, oxytetracycline and trimethoprim-sulphonamide. Florfenicol is primarily used for the treatment of flavobacteriosis (caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilum), a disease mainly affecting juveniles, i.e. fish of very low weight. Oxolinic acid, oxytetracycline and trimethoprim-sulphonamide are used to treat diseases caused by Aeromonas salmonicida and Flavobacterium columnare. These are diseases affecting production fish, i.e. of a higher weight. Therefore, the relations between the antibiotics shown in Figure 2.4 do not translate to treatment frequencies or actual exposure of individual fish. The dosage differs considerably between substances. Therefore, the prescribed amounts of active substance have been recalculated into quantities of medicated feed based on the commonly prescribed concentration. In Figure 2.4, the prescription of antibiotics for fish is shown as kg medicated feed per tonne of fish produced.
2.4.4 Horses
In 2025, sales of trimethoprim-sulphonamides formulated for oral use in horses (paste or powder) were 11% of the total sales of antibiotics for animals and 67% of the sales of all products with trimethoprim-sulphonamides. Since 2016, there has been a decrease in sales of trimethoprim-sulphonamides formulated for oral use in horses by 6%, measured in kg active substance. It is unclear if this decrease reflects increased adherence to guidelines or simply a decreasing number of horses, given that the latest population estimate is from 2016.
The sales of other antibiotics for horses cannot be estimated, as such products are frequently sold on requisition and administered by the veterinarian in connection with a clinical examination in ambulatory practice, in clinics or in hospitals.
2.4.5 Dogs and cats
In 2025, the overall sales of veterinary medicinal products for oral medication of dogs were 502 kg, compared to 746 kg in 2016. The corresponding figures for cats were 93 and 73 kg, respectively. As in previous years, aminopenicillins (with and without clavulanic acid), first-generation cephalosporins and lincosamides were the classes with largest sales for dogs in 2025. For cats, products with aminopenicillins were by far the most sold (80%).
The total number of packages dispensed for dogs in 2025, including both veterinary antibiotics and those authorised for use in humans, was 125 366, and for cats 65 447. The corresponding figures for 2006 were 410 732 and 140 067, respectively. In 2006, sales for dogs corresponded to 563 packages per 1000 dogs. Since then, sales have decreased by 76% to 134 packages per 1000 dogs in 2025 (Figure 2.5). The most recent estimate of the number of dogs was conducted in January 2026. Additional estimates from 2012, 2017, 2020 and 2024 were also taken into account when interpolating population growth in the intervening years. Consequently, Figure 2.5 has been updated to reflect these revised figures. The most prominent changes relative to 2006 are noted for first generation cephalosporins (-90%), fluoroquinolones (-95%) and aminopenicillins with clavulanic acid (-86%).
As described in Svarm 2008, the emergence of infections with multiresistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and methicillin-resistant S. aureus triggered several national and local initiatives. This has most likely led to changes in prescribers’ behaviour, which in turn explains the downward trend in sales of antibiotics for dogs shown in Figure 2.5.
The available estimates of numbers of cats are assumed to be more uncertain, hence no calculations to correct for population size were made.