Antibiotic overuse is a threat to public health. We need to act now to address this issue and prevent a potential public health crisis
Overuse of antibiotics is a major contributor to the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites become resistant to the drugs that were once able to treat them. The overuse of antibiotics is a problem that affects all of us. This is a global issue that affects both developed and developing countries. AMR can have a significant impact on the public and the community in terms of increased risk of infections as well as infections that are difficult to treat with antibiotics, which can lead to increased healthcare costs for individuals, families, and communities.
As the effectiveness of antibiotics decreases, there may be limited treatment options available for common infections, resulting in more severe and longer-lasting illnesses, and in some cases, can even be life-threatening. AMR can result in longer hospital stays, the need for more expensive drugs, and more extensive medical procedures. Again, this can increase healthcare costs. It is important to address this issue because AMR has the potential to cause a global public health crisis. Without effective antibiotics, common infections could become deadly, and medical procedures such as surgery and chemotherapy could become much riskier. The use of antibiotics in agriculture and animal husbandry can contribute to the development of AMR in animals and the environment, which can lead to contaminated food products and foodborne illness.
One of the factors that promote the misuse of antibiotics by the public is the lack of awareness about the issue. Many people believe that antibiotics are a cure for all types of illnesses, including viral infections such as the flu and diarrhoea, which antibiotics are ineffective against. This leads to the unnecessary use of antibiotics, which in turn increases the risk of AMR. The dual threat of AMR and COVID-19 is a cause for concern in the healthcare community as it also led to increased use of antibiotics. Another factor is the ease of access to antibiotics and free over-the-counter availability in our country, which means that people can self-medicate without proper medical advice. This can lead to incorrect use of antibiotics, including incorrect dosages and incomplete courses, which can contribute to the development of AMR.
We need to act now to address this issue and prevent a potential public health crisis, we need to increase awareness about the dangers of overuse of antibiotics and the importance of proper use. Healthcare providers can play a vital role in this by educating their patients about the appropriate use of antibiotics and only prescribing them when necessary. Governments can also implement policies to restrict the availability of antibiotics and promote the development of new antibiotics. Our Society, the Delhi Society for Promotion of Rational Use of Drugs (DSPRUD) has been working at the forefront for the last 25 years to promote the proper use of antibiotics among all stakeholders including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and the public.
We regularly organize campaigns to raise awareness among the public and especially school teachers and students. Among many reasons for irrational prescribing, diagnostic uncertainties are combined with the non-availability or non-utilization of diagnostic services. We have launched the first of its kinds online course for doctors and nurses on diagnostic stewardship. The aims of diagnostic stewardship are to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and combat antimicrobial resistance by optimizing diagnostic testing, improving diagnostic accuracy, reducing the risk of false positives, improving communication and collaboration, and educating healthcare providers and patients. More than 1600 nurses and 380 doctors attended the programme from all over India and neighbouring countries. We are now conducting the 2nd batch of this course from April 10-14, 2023.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on healthcare systems, vulnerable populations, and treatment options, leaving many of us feeling helpless. It is crucial for healthcare providers to use antibiotics judiciously and for policymakers to take action to address both the COVID-19 pandemic and the threat of antimicrobial resistance. By acting now, we can prevent a potential public health crisis in the future. Let us all do our part in using antibiotics wisely to preserve their effectiveness for future generations.
(The writer is a professor, department of Neuropsychopharmacology, Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Delhi Government)
