Let the antibiotics breath

What are Antibiotics?

Antibiotics are substances that can destroy or inhibit the growth of bacteria and similar microorganisms, generally transported by the lymphatic system.

Antibiotics are among the most frequently prescribed classes of drugs and it is estimated that approximately 50% of antibiotic use, in both the outpatient and inpatient settings, is inappropriate. 

At the same time, in contrast to any other class of drugs, every antibiotic use has a potential public health consequence – inappropriate use may not harm only the individual patient, but contributes to societal harm by exerting an unnecessary selective pressure that may lead to antibiotic resistance among bacteria.

For example: Research has shown that at least 30% of antibiotic courses prescribed in the outpatient setting are unnecessary. 

More than half of all patients who receive a diagnosis of an acute respiratory tract infection are given an antibiotic prescription. Despite the fact that an overwhelming proportion of these infections are caused by viruses, not bacteria. 

 Take example with sinusitis. Less than 2% of episodes of acute rhinosinusitis cases are caused by bacteria yet patients are flooded in the pool of antibiotics.

On any given day, in a given country, a mother comes into a health-care facility when her child has a high fever, hoping that the child will get effective treatment and be cured. 

With increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), treatment options diminish, and her hopes may be dashed if the bacteria have become resistant and available antibiotics no longer work.

Like access to clean water and air, we have taken antibiotics for granted for too long. Since the discovery of penicillin in 1928, antibiotics have significantly improved global health.

Indeed, they have been a cornerstone of modern medicine, including cancer chemotherapy and advanced surgical procedures. And while decades of overuse and misuse of antibiotics have accelerated the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria, access to antibiotics remains a major issue in many parts of the world.

At the same time, not enough new antibiotics are being developed to fight resistant bacteria. 

Therefore, existing antibiotics must be used more responsibly and managed carefully to extend their lifespan while being made available to the patients who truly need them. They should be prescribed only when indicated, also because they may cause serious side effects.

One of the solutions that has been brought to tackle this issue is called antibiotic stewardship.

What is antibiotic stewardship?

Antibiotic stewardship refers to efforts in doctors’ offices, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other health care settings to ensure that antibiotics are used only when necessary and appropriate. 

This means prescribing the right drug at the right dose at the right time for the right duration to the right Patient.

Antibiotics should solely be prescription drugs and not available at every chemist. 

It should be only available at pharmacies and gotten under prescription from a doctor.