Antibiotics lose 82 pc effectiveness

Mahfuja Mukul: Antibiotics widely used in the country have lost up to 82 percent effectiveness this year. Five years ago, it was 71 percent. As a result, the ineffectiveness rate of this life-saving drug increased by 11 percent within five years. Ceftriaxone group drugs have been used the most this year. Recently, this information has emerged in a study by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).
Since 2017, IEDCR has been researching the situation of antibiotic resistance in Bangladesh. This research will continue till June this year. In seven long years, this study was conducted with about 40 thousand samples collected from various medical colleges, hospitals and diagnostic centers of the country.
In an event yesterday, IEDCR Chief Scientific Officer Professor Dr. Zakir Habib presented the research.
Experts say over-business attitude of pharmaceutical companies, tendency to prescribe antibiotics to doctors unnecessarily and sale of antibiotics in pharmacies without a prescription are responsible for such dire situation. They advised not to use antibiotics without sensitivity testing to get a solution.
Studies show that up to 82 percent of antibiotics have lost their effectiveness. That is 11 percent more than the terrible five years. Ceftriaxone group drugs have been used the most this year.
Studies have shown that 61 percent of patients admitted to hospital wards have used antibiotics. In this case, 26 percent of ICU patients and 13 percent of outpatients are treated.
Dr. Zakir Habib said, there are three classes of antibiotics in the country, among which antibiotics of watch group and reserve group are becoming ineffective. Which is used in the treatment of various wounds of the body, including diarrhea, urinary tract and lung infections. It is said that the main reason is the use of antibiotics even in common diseases in the doctor’s prescription.
Dr. Farhad Maruf of Oxford University researcher highlighted another study at the event, said that 50 million people are dying every year from this superbug infection around the world. About 2 lakh people died of this disease in Bangladesh. Antibiotic resistance is increasing in chronic patients in Bangladesh.
Dr. Mohammad MA Samad highlighted another study, said that eight of the 12 antibiotics used in the poultry industry were at least 40% ineffective in the case of E-coli, the most common pathogen found. For ampicillin, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin it is about 90 percent.
Director General of the Department of Health Education Professor Dr. Titu Mia said, the number of antibiotic resistant bacteria is increasing in the country. Antibiotics have become ineffective in humans. For this reason, the patients must have an idea about the antibiotics that have been taken before coming to the hospital. Also, we need to increase effective labs in the country.
Director General of the Department of Health Professor Dr. Abul Basar Mohammad Khurshid Alam said that bacteria becoming antibiotic resistant is a silent killer. So, we have to work together to overcome this problem. Be careful about the rules that should be followed to prevent disease.
Nipsom Director Prof. Dr. Mirzadi Sabrina Flora said, we all know that using antibiotics without a prescription is dangerous. In many cases doctors are also using antibiotics unnecessarily. These are certainly due to the over commercial attitude of the drug companies. We need to change our behavior.
Health Secretary Jahangir Alam said, we will definitely take action if the ministry applies to increase the lab facilities to reduce antibiotic misuse.