Antibiotic misuse causes 300,000 deaths in Pakistan annually: experts

KARACHI: KARACHI: Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria claim 300,000 lives annually in Pakistan, while 700,000 more succumb to related complications each year, officials and health experts said at a press conference following a conference on antimicrobial resistance in Karachi.

They stated that antimicrobial resistance, or the increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics, is the third leading cause of death in Pakistan, after heart diseases and maternal and child mortality. Pakistan ranks as the third-largest consumer of antibiotics globally, after China and India.

In 2023 alone, Pakistan spent Rs126 billion on antibiotic medications. However, experts advised the public to avoid using antibiotics without proper medical prescriptions. They warned that self-medication and over-the-counter purchases contribute significantly to the rise in bacterial resistance.

The conference, organised jointly by Gates Pharma, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Health Services Academy, and the National Institute of Health in Islamabad, brought together over 1,400 health professionals. Participants included federal and provincial health secretaries, directors-general of health from all provinces, representatives from more than 13 medical societies in Pakistan, medical students, and other health-related individuals.

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During the press conference, Health Services Academy Vice-Chancellor Prof Shahzad Ali Khan highlighted the historical significance of antibiotics in saving lives during major wars and global pandemics. However, he said their unnecessary and indiscriminate use has rendered them less effective over time. He urged people to seek antibiotics only under the guidance of qualified doctors and avoid self-prescription.

Former Punjab Health Minister and President of the Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine Prof Javed Akram emphasized that antibiotic resistance has become the third major health challenge for Pakistan. The widespread use of antibiotics, often like candy, has contributed to this problem, he said. He compared antibiotics to poison and stressed that people should not misuse them without proper medical advice.

Experts noted that Pakistan faces unique challenges, including extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis, multi-drug-resistant typhoid, pneumonia, and diarrhea. Despite being a global leader in third- and fourth-generation antibiotics, these drugs are losing their effectiveness in the country. National Institute of Health Islamabad focal person Dr Afreenish Aamer revealed that Pakistan spent Rs126 billion on antibiotics last year. She added that even in animals and poultry, antibiotics are being used indiscriminately, leading to increased bacterial resistance.

Associate Director of Public Health at Gates Pharma Dr Wajiha Javed highlighted that excessive use and the production of substandard drugs in the country contribute to antimicrobial resistance. The experts said collaborative efforts between Gates Pharma, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the National Institute of Health are now focused on a national action plan to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.

The experts underscored that Pakistan faces a critical challenge in managing antibiotic resistance. They stressed that public awareness, responsible antibiotic use, and strict adherence to medical advice are essential to combat this growing threat.