AN ARTICLE ON ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE

*Suruchi Singh, Vikash Kumar Chaudhri and Amit Kumar Singh

ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is not a recent phenomenon, but it is a critical health issue today. Over several decades, to varying degrees, bacteria causing common infections have developed resistance to each new antibiotic, and AMR has evolved to become a worldwide health threat. With the dearth of new antibiotics coming into market, the need for action to avert a developing global crisis in health care is increasingly urgent. Much of the AMR problem stems from the misuse of antibiotic, particularly excessive use. The eradication of AMR is neither a realistic nor a desirable goal. The aim should therefore be to contain resistance, to optimize the balance between the effective use of antimicrobials against infections, thus reducing morbidity, mortality and further spread of infection. Effective antibiotic stewardship is required to ensure that antibiotics are prescribed and used responsibly. This also requires a multi-stakeholder approach including the governments, policy-makers and planners, pharmaceutical industry, World Health Organization, health care professionals, public and the patients. WHO is engaged in guiding the response to AMR through: policy guidance, support for surveillance, technical assistance, knowledge generation and partnerships, including through disease prevention and control programmes; essential medicine quality; supply and rational use; infection prevention and control; patient safety; and laboratory quality assurance.

Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, Antibiotics, WHO.