Antibiotic Resistance
Global overuse of antibiotic drugs is exacerbating the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis, a new study has warned. The researchers have revealed that drug resistance is increasing rapidly due to excessive use of powerful antibiotics belonging to the ‘Watch’ category.
The study, published in The Lancet Public Health Journal, was conducted by scientists from the University of London in the UK. A special assessment procedure has been devised to determine the extent to which antibiotics should be used in any country.
Research has shown that almost all countries are overusing ‘watch’ category antibiotics. Experts recommend using these drugs only for severe infections where normal antibiotics have not worked. It is warned that there is a risk of increasing antibiotic resistance if they are used unnecessarily.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified antibiotics into three categories namely Access, Watch and Reserve. In this, drugs like amoxicillin belonging to the access group are used as initial treatment for common infections. Watch group drugs should be used only when necessary. Reserve group drugs are used as a last resort for the most serious drug-resistant infections where other treatments have failed.
In 2024, the United Nations General Assembly decided to monitor antibiotic use worldwide based on the AWaRe approach developed by WHO. Also, by 2030, at least 70 percent of antibiotic consumption worldwide is from ‘access’ group drugs.
According to the researchers, this new assessment system will make it easier to assess whether countries are using antibiotics appropriately and take measures to reduce drug resistance.
