Antibiotics are not cure-all pills
New Straits Times Online, 24 December 2014
ANTIBIOTICS are essential to treat bacterial infections. However, they are losing their effectiveness at an alarming rate because of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The irresponsible use of antibiotics is a key driver of this public health threat.
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the irresponsible use of antibiotics includes requesting antibiotics from doctors, taking antibiotics when they are not needed, not taking them as prescribed, skipping doses, not taking them at regular intervals, saving them for future use and sharing antibiotics with others.
The more antibiotics are used irresponsibly, the more bacteria become resistant. Consequently, standard treatments are no longer effective in treating infections, making them more difficult to control; illness and hospital stays are prolonged; the cost of treatment increases, and the risk of death is greater.
In Malaysia, studies indicate that 65 per cent of the public expect doctors to prescribe antibiotics for a cold, 58 per cent believe that antibiotics are used to treat viral infections (such as cold, flu, sore throat and cough), 55 per cent stop taking antibiotics when symptoms disappear and 50 per cent lack awareness on the issues related to antibiotic resistance.
These figures suggest that antibiotics have been used irresponsibly, as the majority of viral infections are rarely resolved through antibiotic use.
Keeping antibiotics effective is everyone’s responsibility. Responsible use of antibiotics will slow the spread and development of resistant bacteria. Such practices will keep antibiotics effective for future generations. It is important to know when it is appropriate to take antibiotics and how to take them responsibly.
In some countries, well-designed public awareness campaigns have led to reduced antibiotic consumption and changes in attitudes towards them. In Malaysia, several initiatives promoting the responsible use of antibiotics in the community have been conducted.
The biggest challenges to grassroots antibiotic awareness campaigns are a lack of commitment and coordination among stakeholders, as well as lack of adequate funding.
All stakeholders must be committed and willing to collaborate on all aspects, including development, implementation, assessment and dissemination, so that campaigns will be successful and responsive to the community’s needs. Furthermore, it is crucial to support and invest sufficiently in projects to ensure that antibiotic resistance does not become out of control in this country.
Associate Professor Dr Mohamed Azmi Hassali, Dr Fahad Saleem, Lyna Irawati, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang
