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World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) from November 18 to 24. The theme for WAAW 2023 will remain “Preventing antimicrobial resistance together“, as in 2022 whereas is a critical period for global reflection on the escalating threat of antibiotic resistance. In addition to delving into the history of antibiotics and the evolution of resistance, it is imperative to examine the current impact of AMR, forecast its effects in 2050, and explore the specific measures taken by countries such as Nepal in the battle against this silent pandemic.
Current Landscape of Antibiotic Resistance:
Discovery of antibiotics revolutionized medicine, providing effective treatments for bacterial infections and saving countless lives. In 1928, Sir Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin marked the beginning of the antibiotic era. However, as antibiotics became widely used, the emergence of antibiotic resistance followed. Despite advancements in the scientific era, recent trends in antibiotic discovery show a scarcity of new antibiotic molecules compared to the golden era of antibiotic discovery (1950–1970), during which half of today’s commonly used drugs were discovered. Even though new findings are not powerful enough weapons to combat the current challenges of antibiotics, As of the latest data, antibiotic resistance (AMR) claims over 700,000 lives annually worldwide. If left unchecked, projections estimate that by 2050, AMR could result in a staggering 10 million deaths per year, at a cost of £66 trillion in lost productivity to the global economy, surpassing the toll of cancer. This alarming trajectory underscores the urgency of concerted global efforts to curb antibiotic misuse and overuse.
Global Initiatives and the Role of WHO:
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, global initiatives such as the Global Action Plan and the WHO AwaRe Classification system have been implemented to guide nations in developing comprehensive strategies. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed combinations of antibiotics for restricted use, emphasizing the need for stringent measures to preserve the efficacy of existing antibiotics.
Nepal’s Current Status and Preparedness:
Nepal, like many countries, faces the challenges posed by antibiotic resistance. The country has taken proactive steps to combat this threat under the guidance of the WHO. Surveillance mechanisms have been strengthened to monitor antibiotic use and track resistance patterns. Regulations have been implemented to restrict the sale of antibiotics without a prescription, and healthcare professionals are being educated on rational antibiotic prescribing practices. Despite initiating these measures, there has been a lack of strict implementation and proper surveillance. This has resulted in the inability to develop specific guidelines and fulfilling the skilled manpower and adequate resources in geographically isolated region, a failure to address and bring into surveillance irrational antibiotic practices in both private and government-owned healthcare institutions as well as community level such as clinics, retail pharmacies, the selling of antibiotics without prescriptions, a lack of awareness in the public, and a high number of instances of self-medication.
Personal Initiatives:
As a pharmacist actively contributing to the efforts against antibiotic resistance at Bayalpata Hospital, Achham, Nepal, our initiatives play a pivotal role in the nation’s battle against AMR, particularly considering our operation in a geographically isolated region of Nepal with low resources. Understanding the seriousness and necessities of the implementation of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance by local health authorities signifies a comprehensive approach, where we work closely. Within this dynamic landscape, strengthened surveillance mechanisms and regulations restricting antibiotic sales without prescriptions are key strategies. My personal commitment to combating AMR involves advocating for rational antibiotic use, conducting CME for healthcare professionals, and actively engaging in community awareness initiatives. Moreover, my role extends to significant contributions in research activities, particularly in developing the antibiogram and guidelines. This research not only enhances our understanding of local resistance patterns but also informs targeted strategies for combating AMR. As we observe World AMR Awareness Week, these combined efforts at both the institutional and personal levels underscore the critical need for a collaborative global approach to safeguard the efficacy of antibiotics.
Mahesh Shahi, B.pharm., EMBA
Senior Pharmacist, Bayalpata Hospital, Nyaya Health Nepal
कामनाटुडे निष्पक्ष पत्रकारिताको दृढ पहरेदार हो, जसले समाचार, विचार, मनोरञ्जन, खेलकुद, विश्व, प्रविधि र जीवनका विविध आयाम उजागर गर्छ। मर्यादित समाज र समृद्धिको यात्रामा अघि बढ्दै हामि आवाजविहीनहरूको बुलन्द स्वर बनिरहेका छौँ । यदि तपाईंसँग भ्रष्टाचार वा अनियमितताको कुनै प्रमाण छ भने, हामीलाई पठाउनुहोस्। सत्य उजागर गर्न कटिबद्ध कामनाटुडे तपाईंको गोपनीयता सुरक्षित राख्नेछ। सचेत नागरिक बनौं, अन्यायविरुद्ध उभिऔं!
केन्द्रिय कार्यालयः सुदूरपश्चिम प्रदेश धनगढी कैलाली
फोन नम्बर – ०९१-५९०९३३
