Daily Times

KARACHI: Misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals has resulted in the widespread distribution of resistant organisms in several countries, including Pakistan. That means antibiotics that were previously able to cure will not work any more, experts warned Wednesday.

Most illnesses with fevers, e.g., colds, flu and diarrhea, are caused by viruses, for which antibiotics are not recommended. However, due to over-the-counter availability, antibiotic consumption is found to correlate with these seasonal illnesses implying the misuse of antibiotics,” experts said.

They were addressing a national symposium on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) organized by the Aga Khan University’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in collaboration with the University’s Department of Continuing Professional Education, Health Security Partners – USA, Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Society of Pakistan, and Pakistan Academy of Sciences.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the ability of a microorganism (like bacteria, viruses and parasites) to stop an antimicrobial (such as antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarials) from working against it. As a result, standard medical treatments become ineffective and infections persist and may spread to others.

“Antibiotic resistance is as much a problem in Pakistan as in the Western hemisphere,” said Dr Sadia Shakoor, Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at AKU.

“We know that infections acquired in the community are becoming resistant because antibiotics are available freely to the population even without prescriptions, leading to overuse. This needs to be checked through physician training to limit prescriptions and legislation to prevent over-the-counter availability of antibiotics.”

Superbugs, resistant to antimicrobials, are estimated to account for 700,000 deaths each year worldwide. A study shows that drug resistant infections will kill an extra 10 million people a year – more than currently die from cancer – by 2050 unless action is taken.

At the UN General Assembly in September this year, leaders from 193 countries signed a landmark declaration agreeing to combat antimicrobial resistance.

“Every signatory has agreed that drug resistant infections must be tackled as a priority,” said Dr Rana Hajjeh, Director, Department of Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean.

Another speaker Dr Erum Khan, Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at AKU said, “Most illnesses with fevers, e.g., colds, flu and diarrhea, are caused by viruses, for which antibiotics are not recommended. However, due to over-the-counter availability, antibiotic consumption is found to correlate with these seasonal illnesses implying the misuse of antibiotics.”

Dr Rumina Hasan, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at AKU, Dr Muhammad Salman from National Institute of Health, Dr Ejaz Khan from Shifa International Hospital, Dr Rene Hendriksen from Technical University of Denmark, Dr Ali Ahmed from University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, and Dr Revathi Gunturu also spoke on the occasion.