Daily Times

Pfizer Pakistan, in recognition of the World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW), reaffirmed its commitment to working with industry partners and policymakers to help prevent and combat global public health threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

AMR can affect anyone, of any age, in any country. It occurs when pathogens change and find ways to resist effects of antibiotics. The pathogens survive, grow and spread their resistance. This process of adaptation leads to AMR. If no solution is found, consequences of AMR could be devastating. Minor infections and injuries could become life-threatening and serious infections such as pneumonia could become impossible to treat.

Further, many routine medical procedures could be too risky to perform because of the risk of becoming infected while in hospital by a multi-drug resistant pathogen.

AMR occurs when pathogens change and find ways to resist effects of antibiotics

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Aamer Ikram, the president of the MMIDSP said, “We take pride in launching initiatives in the country to curb AMR through ‘Antibiotic Stewardship Initiative in Pakistan (ASIP)’. The society has organised multiple events in collaboration with Pfizer Pakistan for creating awareness and imparting training at both institutional and community levels to address injudicious overuse of antibiotics with ever increasing AMR.”

It has reached out to major stakeholders, professional societies and policy makers within and outside government for collaboration in tackling AMR at the national level.

Many national and provincial initiatives have been taken across Pakistan. On this World Antibiotic Awareness Week 2018, the MMIDSP appeals to all stakeholders that it is our responsibility to join hands in these national efforts to end the menace of AMR. SM Wajeeh said that Pfizer is fully cognisant of this important issue of AMR and have been working with relevant stakeholders to make its contribution towards managing it.

On the occasion, Pfizer partnership with MMIDSP is leading the way for creating awareness on AMR in Pakistan.

Published in Daily Times, November 16^th 2018.