The threat of antibiotic resistance globally is increasingly recognized. We need new antibiotics but, crucially, we need to preserve the armamentarium that we already have. Global interconnectedness means that effective control of resistance is required across the world if resistance in one area is not to spread more widely. The differing prescription patterns and regulation of availability of antibiotic treatment makes this challenging as many patients access antibiotic without diagnosis or prescription with a significant risk of resistance emerging.
This may occur in the context of patients with low resources only affording a part course, or by purchasing antibiotics without any professional consultation. The quality of pharmacy and the availability of microbiological diagnostics will also impact on the risks of resistance emerging. Many of these challenges are exacerbated by poverty in low and middle income countries. Understanding the pathways of resistance will be critical to controlling further emergence resistance.
Although we are well informed about the biology of how resistance emerges this will not be enough to control the rising tide of resistance. Even though we know that poor prescribing and adherence increases the risk of resistance emerging, we do not know enough about how these factor operate in the myriad of settings resistance is increasing. We need to understand the factors that cause individuals to seek clinical intervention that includes antibiotics, what drives their choices to take antibiotics and for how long. How does the health professionals improve the process and how can they interact with patients and those that supply antibiotics without prescription or a microbiological diagnosis. Are there novel microbiological techniques that could provide an effective diagnosis that would impower patients to seek effective treatment and reduce the risk of infection.
The threat of antibiotic resistance globally is increasingly recognized. We need new antibiotics but, crucially, we need to preserve the armamentarium that we already have. Global interconnectedness means that effective control of resistance is required across the world if resistance in one area is not to spread more widely. The differing prescription patterns and regulation of availability of antibiotic treatment makes this challenging as many patients access antibiotic without diagnosis or prescription with a significant risk of resistance emerging.
This may occur in the context of patients with low resources only affording a part course, or by purchasing antibiotics without any professional consultation. The quality of pharmacy and the availability of microbiological diagnostics will also impact on the risks of resistance emerging. Many of these challenges are exacerbated by poverty in low and middle income countries. Understanding the pathways of resistance will be critical to controlling further emergence resistance.
Although we are well informed about the biology of how resistance emerges this will not be enough to control the rising tide of resistance. Even though we know that poor prescribing and adherence increases the risk of resistance emerging, we do not know enough about how these factor operate in the myriad of settings resistance is increasing. We need to understand the factors that cause individuals to seek clinical intervention that includes antibiotics, what drives their choices to take antibiotics and for how long. How does the health professionals improve the process and how can they interact with patients and those that supply antibiotics without prescription or a microbiological diagnosis. Are there novel microbiological techniques that could provide an effective diagnosis that would impower patients to seek effective treatment and reduce the risk of infection.
