New Delhi, 15th August 2018: As per recent research, the antibiotics currently in use can cause resistance and may even be more lethal than previous penicillin and chloramphenicol drugs.
Antibiotic resistance is on the rise and it is in light of this that the forthcoming 25th MTNL Perfect Health Mela 2018 to be held in October will focus on excessive use of antibiotics. The WHO, ICMR, and NCDC have been approached to create awareness at the mela.
Antibiotic resistance has made it harder to treat many infections such as typhoid, pneumonia and tuberculosis. There is declining research in the field of newer antibiotics and supporting the formulation of a national antibiotic policy. Children are also becoming increasingly powerless in the fight against even common ailments like urinary tract infection due to antibiotic abuse.
Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr KK Aggarwal, President, HCFI, said, “It is important to create awareness that antibiotics should be taken only when they are really required. unless you really need them. They are not indicated for colds or viral infections or bronchitis, where they are often misused and squandered. Blatant use of these drugs can fuel resistance with unnecessary and cause even mortality in the long term. Although antibiotics such as penicillin and chloramphenicol have less side effects, we still do not take them unless a must. Why then should we self-prescribe more toxic and latest antibiotics? The Perfect Health Mela this year will take up this pertinent issue for discussion.”
Recently, the WHO, in its first global report on antibiotic resistance, warned that ‘a post-antibiotic era—in which common infections and minor injuries can kill—far from being an apocalyptic fantasy, is instead a very real possibility for the 21st century.’
Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, who is also the Group Editor-in-Chief of IJCP, said, “Doctors should run a drug interaction programme for every new medication prescribed, and alert the provider to serious interactions. There is no way anyone can remember all the drug interactions. EKGs should be run before prescribing many common antibiotics. Doctors as well as patients should be aware about and advocate judicious use of antibiotics. Over prescription and self-prescription, both, need to be checked.”
Some tips form HCFI
- Practice rational use of drugs antibiotics
- Use when needed and according to guidelines
- Avoid broad spectrum antibiotics without appropriate diagnosis
- Prevent infections with the use of vaccination and by improving basic hygiene including hand hygiene and infection control techniques and sanitation in health care settings as well as in the community
- Farmers and food industry must stop using antibiotics routinely to promote growth and prevent disease in healthy animals to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance.
