Context
The problem of AMR remains one of the leading concerns for the world, as many easily treatable infections may become incurable in the future. To address the Universal Health Organization’s Agenda to address negative impacts of AMR WHO has developed first guidelines on antibiotic pollution from manufacturing stating urgency of antibiotic overuse and environmental polluting effects.
A Brief History of Antibiotics and Resistance
Alexander Fleming discovered the wonder drug, penicillin in 1928 after which antibacterial infections became easier to control and treatments were developed. Nevertheless, there has been equal struggle in the form of resistance as soon as new antibiotics have been developed. Due to misuse and overuse of these drugs, microbes have a natural tendency to evolve and adapt to the drugs hence leading to a rapid development of resistance.
What is Antimicrobial Resistance?
AMR takes place when there are alterations and developments of the microorganisms among the bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, to the extent that the medical treatments formulated to deal with the microbes fail. This makes infections difficult to treat, increases the number of days patients spend in the hospital, increases the cost of treatment, and results in higher deaths. The effectiveness of drugs such as antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitic drugs are under threat due to the risks associated with resistance.
The consequences of exposing an organism to AMR are as follows: Lacking adequate antimicrobial therapies, common operations, cancer treatments, and managing chronic ailments’ would be much riskier. AMR also affects global food security because of its effects on animal and plant health.
Causes of AMR
Several key factors contribute to the development and spread of AMR:
- Selective Pressure: Whenever the antimicrobials are administered they act on the susceptible microorganism and the resistant ones are left to reproduce. And, over time in the management of any infection, these resistant strains tend to predominate.
- Mutation: They reproduce very fast and due to this it is not hard for subgroups to develop that are able to withstand antimicrobial procedures.
- Inappropriate Use: Use of antibiotics for instance, without prescription or risk factors for fixed-dose combination leads to emergence of resistant bacterial species.
- Hospital Use: The patients admitted to the hospital especially those in critical condition may need the use of antimicrobials but the overuse of the drugs and several patients bedded in proximity allow the resistant germs to thrive.
- Agricultural Use: The cases of consumption of antibiotic for purpose in the farming practices such as incorporation in feeds for livestock are cited as causes of the surge in resistance.
Prevention and Control
Prevention of AMR requires interventions to be implemented at the community level and at a governmental and institutional level.
Individual Actions:
- Responsible Antibiotic Use: To ensure that you’re taking the right antibiotic, you should take them only when advised by a qualified medical practitioner.
- Follow Prescription Guidelines: One should strictly follow the dose and the period of treatment given by the doctor.
- Prevent Infections: Practical preventive measures such as washing hands with water and soap, accurate handling of foods, not getting close or coming into contact with anybody who is sick, and making sure that you are administered the right vaccines always decreases the chances of using an antibiotic.
Policy Actions:
- National Action Plans: AMR is a major threat globally and therefore national plans to tackle the problem should be strengthened through improved reporting of antibiotic resistance and appropriate use of antimicrobials.
- Infection Control: To reduce the prevalence of these difficult to control resistant species, it is vital to enhance measures to implement Infection Control programmes in hospitals.
- Public Awareness: Every government should inform the populace about the dangers of using antibiotics wrongfully as well as resistance to them.
- Medicine Regulation: The regulation of correct use and disposal of products particularly medicines is important to ensure that the environment is not contaminated with more instances of AMR.
India’s Efforts to Combat AMR
India has implemented several initiatives to tackle AMR:
- National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR): Developed in 2017, two years after the launch of WHO’s Global Action Plan on AMR, India’s NAP-AMR gives topmost priority to six strategic areas that include awareness, surveillance, prevention and infection control, appropriate use of antimicrobials and pharma in human and veterinary health and agriculture, research, innovation and leadership at all levels. The National Centre of Disease Control (NCDC) is the focal point for the plan’s coordination.
- Red Line Campaign: India’s Red Line Campaign seeks to stop unnecessary prescription antibiotic use, by using a red vertical line to identify Prescriptive antibiotics. This campaign creates awareness to the public about adverse effects of taking drugs without consultation and right use of antibiotics.
Source: The Indian Express