An antibiotic is a type of substance that is active against bacteria. Their work is to kill and prevent bacteria from spreading. However, they do not work for viral infections, namely cold and flu, as well as most coughs and sore throats (NHS, UK). Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to resist the lethal effects of antibiotics. Many causes lead to antibiotic resistance namely: selective pressure, mutation, gene transfer, societal pressure, inadequate diagnostic, hospital use, agriculture use, and inappropriate use (NIH, 2011).
The inappropriate use of antibiotics is one of the main reasons for the growing problem of antibiotic resistance in Asia. In many Asian countries, there are no proper regulations for the distribution of antibiotics and are available for purchase from the local Pharmacy without a prescription. In many incidences, patients or their family members would buy it themselves to recover from their viral infections or for yet undiagnosed conditions. A systematic literature review conducted by Morgan and his colleagues revealed that self-prescribed antibiotics ranged from nine to over sixty percent in the Asia Pacific region.
Therefore, there is a higher risk of antibiotic resistance amongst these populations. And to make the matter worse it is documented that, it is more profitable for pharmaceutical companies to use their resources to develop drugs for chronic illnesses like heart diseases or diabetes rather than developing drugs for short-term illnesses like pneumonia, and typhoid fever which require antibiotics for a week or two weeks (Review on Antimicrobial Resistance, 2015). Therefore, Asian populations are in a double-edged sword over the use of antibiotics in unnecessary health conditions and making their bodies antibiotic-resistant.
To combat the inappropriate use of antibiotics the government of these countries should put draconian rules on prescribing antibiotics. Only professionals with prescribing qualifications should allow prescribing antibiotics. Apart from this, there should be a law to prohibit over -the -counter sale of antibiotics, in any part of the world. Finally, it is deemed important to strengthen health education, information broadcasting, and public awareness campaigns to educate people about the harm of inappropriate use of antibiotics. It also requires that every Asian country pledge to step up for the provision of accurate and up-to-date information on risk factors and consequences of inappropriate use of antibiotics through relevant institutions and institutes.
References
MORGAN, D.J., Dr, OKEKE, I.N., PhD, LAXMINARAYAN, R., PhD, PERENCEVICH, E.N., MD & WEISENBERG, S., MD, 2011. Non-prescription antimicrobial use worldwide: a systematic review. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 11(9), pp.692-701. Available from: 10.1016/S1473-3099(11)70054-8https://www.clinicalkey.es/playcontent/1-s2.0-S1473309911700548.
NHS,U.K. Antibiotics. [viewed 15/09/22]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/antibiotics/.
NIH, 2011. Causes of Antimicrobial (Drug) Resistance. [viewed 15/09/22]. Available from: https://www.niaid.nih.gov/research/antimicrobial-resistance-causes.
WELLCOME TRUST., 2015. Review on Antimicrobial Resistance.
© 2022 Dr Mukta Bhattarai Pandey (MD, PGDip Public Health, MRCP(UK), MRes)