ANTIBIOTIC MISUSE: A DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE GLOBAL RISE OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
Keywords:
Antibiotic, Resistance, Antibiotic MisuseAbstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the world’s most pressing public health challenges. The 2014 Global Burden of Disease study estimated that 1.27 million deaths were caused by bacterial AMR that year and that bacterial AMR contributed to an additional 4.95 million deaths. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed AMR among the top 10 threats to global public health. Misuse and overuse of antimicrobial agents in both human and animal health and agricultural settings is the primary factor for increasing rates of drug resistance. In addition to the impact on human life, AMR increases the cost of health care and the global economy. The World Bank has estimated that, by 2030, AMR could result in an additional $1 trillion in global health care costs, and between $1 trillion and $3.4 trillion in annual losses to the global economy by 2050.
Mitigating strategies are vital to combat this situation. One way to do this is to educate the public about the impact of inappropriate antimicrobial use, for example, the difference between bacterial and viral infections, through information campaigns. Stringent regulations must be instituted to control the over-the-counter sale and dispensing of antibiotics. It is important to educate the public about the rationale for the complete dose of antibiotics prescribed and to explain that antibiotics are prescribed based on culture and sensitivity of the pathogen concerned, and if required, other clinical findings. Further, infection prevention and control practices, as well as research and development of novel antimicrobials, must be implemented to combat pathogenic resistance.
If these strategies are to be successfully implemented, collaboration and commitment of various agencies, healthcare workers and the public, is vital to maintain the efficacy of available antibiotics and to avoid a scenario whereby infections become untreatable.
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