Dr. Vinny Kantroo, a senior consultant in respiratory medicine, and Maneesh Paul from Orchid Pharma dive deep into India's alarming antibiotic misuse. They highlight the staggering 70% failure rate of common treatments and the dire rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The duo addresses the dangers of self-prescribing and the increasing rate of nosocomial infections in hospitals. They stress the urgent need for new antimicrobial agents and emphasize educational initiatives to tackle this growing public health crisis.
Public misunderstanding and self-medication with antibiotics in India contribute to rising antimicrobial resistance and jeopardize individual health.
The urgent need for improved education and stricter regulations regarding antibiotic use is critical to combat the growing public health crisis of AMR.
Deep dives
Antibiotic Awareness and Misuse
Public knowledge about antibiotics and their uses is alarmingly low, as many individuals mistakenly believe antibiotics can treat viral infections. A significant number of people self-medicate with antibiotics like azithromycin or Augmentin without proper prescriptions, leading to a misunderstanding of their appropriate use. This pattern contributes to a rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) since patients often do not complete their prescribed courses, sometimes because they feel better too early or forget doses. Such misuse not only jeopardizes individual health but also exacerbates the broader public health crisis associated with antibiotic efficacy.
The Crisis of Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing crisis in India, with nearly half of antibiotics used being unapproved, leading to significant resistance levels, including an alarming 87% resistance rate to carbapenem. The overuse of these medications in clinical settings and the lack of stringent regulations contribute to the emergence of superbugs, making routine infections increasingly difficult to treat. Hospital-acquired infections pose a specific risk, often complicating recovery for patients undergoing surgeries or treatments for other health issues. This situation underscores the urgent need for enhanced regulatory measures and public education to combat the misuse of antibiotics.
The Role of Education and Regulation
Addressing AMR requires a multi-faceted approach, involving education for both healthcare providers and patients regarding the responsible use of antibiotics. Current efforts to improve antimicrobial stewardship in hospitals and the education of medical professionals aim to reduce unnecessary prescriptions and encourage the rational use of these vital medications. Additionally, establishing stricter regulations on over-the-counter antibiotic sales could help mitigate the ease with which individuals acquire these drugs without proper guidance. Future strategies must focus on collaboration between government agencies, healthcare professionals, and the pharmaceutical industry to effectively tackle the looming threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Indians are ingesting too many antibiotics. As a result, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is becoming a serious public health crisis, as many commonly used antibiotics are losing their effectiveness. Currently, about 70% of antibiotic treatments fail to work against infections, making it increasingly difficult to treat conditions that once had straightforward solutions. Each year, more patients experience recurring infections, both in outpatient and inpatient settings, and mortality rates continue to rise among those requiring critical care.
Hosts Vikas Dandekar and Anirban Chowdhury talk to Dr Viny Kantroo of Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, and Maneesh Paul of Orchid Pharma trying to understand if AMR could drastically alter healthcare as we know it, posing an unprecedented challenge to future generations.
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