Drug Resistance: Why are Many Medicines Not Effective Anymore

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top global public health and development threats. AMR is when germs such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites develop the ability to survive medicines that are meant to kill them or stop their growth. As a result, infections caused by these resistant germs become much harder, and sometimes even impossible, to treat with standard drugs.

Why Does AMR Happen?

• Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials (Antibiotics, Antivirals, Antifungals, Antiparasitics): This is widely considered the primary driver of AMR. Doctors are prescribing antibiotics for viral infections (like the common cold or flu) when they are ineffective.
• Patients not completing their full course of antibiotics, stopping when they feel better, which allows stronger, more resistant bacteria to survive and multiply.
• Self-medication: Taking antibiotics without a proper diagnosis. Sharing prescriptions and following other people’s prescriptions leads to unnecessary medications
• In healthcare settings, inadequate hand hygiene, improper sterilisation of equipment, and lack of isolation protocols allow resistant germs to spread rapidly, especially in hospitals and long- term care facilities.
• Resistant bacteria can spread rapidly across borders as people travel, carrying resistant infections from one region to another.
• The pipeline for new antibiotics and other antimicrobials is drying up, with very few novel drugs being developed, making it harder to combat resistant infections.

Who Is Most at Risk?

While anyone can be affected by AMR, but following are at higher risk:

• People with weakened immune systems (such as the elderly, young children, or those with chronic illnesses).
• Patients in hospitals or healthcare facilities, where resistant germs are more common.
• People who frequently use antibiotics or antifungals.

Consequences of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR):

• Increased illness and death: Infections caused by resistant germs are much harder to treat, leading to more severe illness, longer recovery times, and a higher risk of death.
• Treatment failures: Standard antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective, making infections difficult or impossible to cure and Longer Hospital Stays
• Spread of disease: Resistant germs can spread within hospitals and in the community, increasing the risk of outbreaks and making infection control more challenging.
• AMR puts many of the gains of modern medicine at risk. It makes infections harder to treat and makes other medical procedures and treatments, such as surgery, caesarean sections and cancer chemotherapy, much riskier.

Ways to slow down antimicrobial resistance:

Healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, and, more importantly, patients themselves need to work together to fight this. Healthcare providers need to optimize prescriptions of the right antimicrobial, for the right infection, for the right dose, for the right duration, and only when truly necessary. This includes avoiding antibiotics for viral infections (like colds, flu). Fighting the spread of infections by better hand hygiene, disinfection of healthcare facilities, and proper isolation measures to prevent transmission.

How Can Patients Help in the Process?

Patients are critical partners in the fight against AMR and preserving the effectiveness of antimicrobials.

• Understand when antibiotics are needed. Do not demand antibiotics for viral infections. Colds, flu, most sore throats, and bronchitis are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses.
• Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed, even if you feel better; finish the entire course of antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.
• Always ask your doctor if you are unsure about medicines. Understand why they are prescribing.
• Prevent Infections in the first place and get vaccinated

AMR is a serious issue and needs urgent attention.