According to a global report, antibiotics have become less effective as bacteria are becoming resistant. It also reveals that drug-resistant infections are killing millions of people every year. Read to know more.
What is Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs naturally due to the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in animals and humans. It means that antibiotics are no longer effective against infections. Due to AMR, several infections such as pneumonia, gonorrhea, and tuberculosis are becoming more difficult to treat. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is one of the biggest threats affecting global health, security, food, and development. In 2019 alone, over 1.2 million people lost their lives due to infections from drug-resistant bacteria. Shockingly, the report reveals a death toll higher than that due to AIDS or malaria. Lower-income countries are facing more trouble.
Recently, health officials from the UK stated that Antimicrobial resistance and in turn drug-resistant infections are a “hidden pandemic“. “The new data revealed the true scale of antimicrobial resistance worldwide is a clear signal immediate action is needed if we want to stay ahead in the race against antimicrobial resistance,” stated Prof. Chris Murray. Prof. Murray is a researcher from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
How can we fight Drug-resistant infections?
Drug-resistant infections are not easy to overcome. However, using current medications wisely and investing in the development of new drugs is a recommended course of action. After all, AMR is particularly deadly. A study in the Lancet, performed by international researchers analyzed the conditions in 204 countries. Around five million lost their lives due to AMR in 2019. This is in addition to the 1.2 million correctly diagnosed to be suffering from AMR.
“Spending needs to be directed to preventing infections in the first place, making sure existing antibiotics are used appropriately and judiciously, and to bringing new antibiotics to market,” stated Dr. Ramanan Laxminarayan. Dr. Laxminarayan is from the Centre for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy, in Washington DC and the part of the lading team. “Much of the world faced the challenge of poor access to affordable, effective antibiotics,” he added.