The European Antibiotic Awareness Day is an annual European public health initiative that takes place on 18 November to raise awareness about the threat to public health of antibiotic resistance and prudent antibiotic use. The latest data confirms that across the European Union the number of patients infected by resistant bacteria is increasing and that antibiotic resistance is a major threat to public health. 

Prudent use of antibiotics can help stop resistant bacteria from developing and help keep antibiotics effective for the use of future generations.

The objective of the European Antibiotic Awareness Day in 2010 is to support efforts at national level to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in hospitals through the development and dissemination of educational materials promoting prudent antibiotic use.