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7 stories for World Antibiotic Awareness Week
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In conjunction with World Antibiotic Awareness Week, WHO published new data showing that antibiotic consumption rates differ extensively among countries: Some use too many, and others do not have sufficient access to them.
World Antibiotic Awareness Week was launched in 2015 to raise awareness of the global threat of antibiotic resistance, which affects two million patients each year in the United States alone, according to the CDC.
The new data released by WHO revealed large differences in country-level consumption rates, ranging from 4.4 defined daily doses (DDD) for every 1,000 inhabitants per day in Burundi to 64.4 in Mongolia.
Improper use of antibiotics contributes to antimicrobial resistance but is not the only factor. An inability to afford, and subsequently complete, a full course of treatment or taking fake or substandard antibiotics also can result in resistance.
“Overuse and misuse of antibiotics are the leading causes of antimicrobial resistance. Without effective antibiotics and other antimicrobials, we will lose our ability to treat common infections like pneumonia,” Suzanne Hill, BMed, PhD, director of the WHO Department of Essential Medicines and Health Products, said in a news release. “Findings from this report confirm the need to take urgent action, such as enforcing prescription-only policies, to reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics.”
To mark the occasion of World Antibiotic Awareness Week, Infectious Disease News compiled seven stories from around the world about antibiotic consumption and its impact on human health care. – by Marley Ghizzone
1 in 5 pharmacies in Spain dispenses antibiotics without prescription
Approximately one in five pharmacies in Spain dispenses antibiotics without a prescription, especially when pressured by patients, according to a recently published study. Researchers identified being a rural pharmacy as a risk factor associated with getting an antibiotic without a prescription. Read more.
WHO: 10% of medicine in developing countries fake or substandard
Research published by WHO showed that an estimated 10% of medicines and medical products in low- and middle-income countries are either falsified or substandard, killing hundreds of thousands of patients and wasting billions of dollars each year. Driven by demand, falsified or substandard medical products including antibiotics, cancer treatments and diabetes medication make their way onto the market in countries around the globe, meaning that many patients are taking medicine that cannot treat or prevent disease. Read more.
Global antibiotic consumption increases 65% over 16 years
Researchers investigating global trends in antibiotic use reported a 65% increase from 2000 to 2015 that was largely driven by rising consumption in low- and middle-income countries. Read more.
Two-thirds of antibiotic combinations sold illegally in India
Researchers found that 64% of fixed-dose antibiotic combinations were sold illegally in India over a 5-year period. Many of these unapproved antibiotics were manufactured by multinational companies that had previously pledged their commitment to combat antimicrobial resistance. Read more.
Global survey shows progress, gaps in antimicrobial resistance efforts
WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Organization for Animal Health released findings from a survey assessing global progress in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, or AMR. The survey revealed that 100 countries have developed a national action plan for AMR, although substantial gaps in action remain. Read more.
Outpatient overprescribing: ‘Cultural shift’ needed to spare antibiotics
In recent years, much emphasis has been placed on the cautious and appropriate use of antibiotics as a means of mitigating the threat of antimicrobial resistance. Yet antibiotic overprescribing remains a concern, particularly in outpatient settings such as the physician’s office, urgent care centers, clinics and EDs. For this August 2018 cover story, Infectious Disease News spoke with several experts in the field about the scope of the problem and what can be done to address it. Read more.
UK pay-for-performance program reduced antibiotic prescribing
The introduction of financial incentives for health care providers to improve the quality of prescribing led to a significant reduction in total and broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing in England, researchers reported. Read more.
References:
CDC. U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week. https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/week/get-involved.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fantibiotic-use%2Fweek%2Foverview.html. Accessed November 12, 2018.
WHO. Report on surveillance of antibiotic consumption. 2018. http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/rational_use/who-amr-amc-report-20181109.pdf?ua=1. Accessed November 12, 2018.