Kudos to Mr. Biju Thomas on His Article on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in The Times of India

 

Kudos to Mr. Biju Thomas on His Article on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in The Times of India

Kudos to Mr. Biju Thomas on His Article on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in The Times of India

On the occasion of World Pharmacist Day, September 25, 2024, we are thrilled to congratulate Mr. Biju Thomas, the Head of Pharmacy Services, for his insightful and impactful article on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Antibiotic Misuse. His piece, published in the prestigious Times of India, serves as a timely reminder of the growing threat of AMR and the urgent need for global action in antibiotic stewardship.

Raising Awareness on a Global Health Crisis: Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial Resistance, often referred to as the "silent pandemic," is a rapidly emerging global health concern. In his article, Mr. Biju Thomas brilliantly highlights how overuse and misuse of antibiotics contribute to this escalating crisis, where bacteria evolve to resist the effects of medications, rendering many life-saving antibiotics ineffective. AMR is not only a challenge for the medical community but also a looming catastrophe that could set back decades of progress in modern medicine.

Mr. Thomas underscores that AMR could lead to an era where even minor infections could once again become life-threatening, and routine surgeries or treatments like chemotherapy could carry much higher risks due to the threat of untreatable infections. This scenario could drastically undermine global health efforts, making AMR one of the top global health threats of our time.

Antibiotic Misuse: A Key Contributor

A major contributor to the rise of AMR is antibiotic misuse, both in healthcare and in community settings. Mr. Thomas calls attention to how antibiotics are frequently prescribed without proper clinical justification or taken incorrectly by patients. His article provides an in-depth analysis of several factors contributing to antibiotic misuse:

• Overprescription by healthcare providers, often in response to patient demand or diagnostic uncertainty.
• Self-medication by individuals who use antibiotics without professional guidance, often for conditions like viral infections (e.g., the common cold), where antibiotics are ineffective.
• Incomplete courses of antibiotics, where patients stop taking their medication as soon as they feel better, leaving some bacteria alive and allowing them to become resistant.
• Overuse in agriculture: Antibiotics are extensively used in livestock farming, not just to treat illness but to promote growth and prevent disease, further accelerating resistance.

In highlighting these issues, Mr. Thomas emphasizes the need for public education on the correct use of antibiotics and stricter regulations on antibiotic sales and usage, particularly in agricultural practices.

The Call for Antibiotic Stewardship

One of the most significant contributions of Mr. Thomas’ article is his advocacy for antibiotic stewardship programs. Antibiotic stewardship refers to a coordinated effort to optimize antibiotic use to ensure effective treatment of infections while minimizing the side effects and reducing the risk of AMR.

He stresses that healthcare providers, pharmacists, and policymakers must work together to develop guidelines and practices that support responsible antibiotic use. Key strategies for achieving this include:

• Educating healthcare professionals on evidence-based prescribing practices.
• Implementing diagnostic tests to ensure that antibiotics are prescribed only when necessary.
• Monitoring antibiotic usage and resistance patterns at both local and national levels.
• Promoting research and development of new antibiotics and alternative therapies, as the pipeline for new antimicrobial drugs has been alarmingly slow.

World Pharmacist Day: A Fitting Platform

The publication of Mr. Biju Thomas' article on World Pharmacist Day is particularly fitting. Pharmacists play a crucial role in the healthcare system, serving as the gatekeepers of medications and acting as advocates for patient education on drug use. By addressing AMR and antibiotic misuse, Mr. Thomas not only brings attention to this global issue but also highlights the indispensable role of pharmacists in curbing the misuse of antibiotics.

A Call to Action for All

In his concluding remarks, Mr. Thomas calls for a collective effort from individuals, healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities, and global organizations to tackle the AMR crisis head-on. His article leaves readers with a clear message: without urgent action, AMR will continue to grow into an uncontrollable health catastrophe.

Join the Movement for Responsible Antibiotic Use

In celebrating World Pharmacist Day 2024, we are proud to acknowledge Mr. Biju Thomas for his timely and thought-provoking contribution to the ongoing fight against AMR. Let us all take this opportunity to reflect on our role in addressing this critical issue, whether as healthcare professionals or as responsible members of society.

The fight against AMR requires awareness, education, and decisive action. It is time to support antibiotic stewardship, reduce misuse, and ensure that antibiotics remain effective for generations to come.