Drug war: On use of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance
Context:
Antimicrobial resistance is a health issue that will negate advances in medicine.
Alarming Antibiotic Prescription Patterns
High Antibiotic Prescriptions: The 'First Multicentric Point Prevalence Survey of Antibiotic Use' reveals over 70% antibiotic prescription rates in tertiary-care hospitals across 15 States and two Union Territories.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): More than 50% of prescribed antibiotics carry the risk of causing AMR, a severe global health concern.
Prophylactic Antibiotics: A significant concern emerges as 55% of patients receive antibiotics as preventive measures, with only 45% getting them for actual infections.
Implications of Antimicrobial Resistance
Evolution of Drug-Resistant Pathogens: AMR arises from misuse and overuse, enabling pathogens to evolve and resist antimicrobial drugs.
Global Health Impact: WHO estimates show direct responsibility for 1.27 million deaths in 2019 and contributions to 4.95 million deaths due to bacterial AMR.
Undermining Medical Advances: AMR not only hinders infection treatment but also heightens risks in medical procedures like surgery, caesarean sections, and cancer chemotherapy.
Urgent Measures and Stakeholder Roles
Research and Development Crisis: The article emphasizes the antibiotic research and development pipeline crisis, urging immediate measures and equitable access to new drugs.
Role of Doctors and Government: Calls for rational antibiotic prescriptions and government regulation on drug use, especially in animal husbandry.
Patient Awareness: Acknowledges patient expectations for immediate relief, highlighting the need for public awareness on the implications of antibiotic misuse and the importance of adhering to medical protocols.