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Don’t blindly gulp down antibiotics

Indiscriminate prescription of antibiotics by general practitioners is becoming a cause of concern

BENGALURU: The use of antibiotics has been increasing steadily in recent years. Between 2005 and 2009, the units of antibiotics sold rose by about 40 per cent.

Unfortunately, indiscriminate prescription of antibiotics by general practitioners is becoming a cause of concern. An ICMR study on ‘Rationalising antibiotic use to limit antibiotic resistance in India,’ clearly states that antibiotics are often used in situations where these cannot be expected to improve the patient’s condition, particularly as treatment for the common cold and uncomplicated cases of diarrhoea (which are appropriately treated with oral rehydration therapy).

“Antibiotics (antibacterials) will not work for viral infections. Hence, the unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics should be halted. Generally the trend is that general practitioners are prescribing in inappropriate ways for viral fevers,” informs Dr SM Prasad, Assistant Professor, Dr BR Ambedkar Medical College who very categorically stresses that, “Only when they are convinced in a clinical examination that it is an infection can they use antibiotics.”

He said, “Only when they know that it is a bacterial infection should they use antibiotics. WHO had issued instructions two years ago about this and stressed on the antibiotic failure rate. It instructed physicians to avoid prescribing antibiotics indiscriminately to avoid antibiotic resistance. Sadly, this practice is not followed and neither are patients informed that they are being given antibiotics.”

The ICMR study states that some studies on antibiotic use have employed indicators, such as the average number of drugs prescribed per encounter and the frequency with which fixed-dose combinations are prescribed. Other studies have detailed the reasons for prescribing (or purchasing) antibiotics -- in particular, for upper respiratory tract infections, an inappropriate indication. Over-prescribing and overuse are seen in all settings: public and private hospitals, clinics and pharmacies.

( Source : deccan chronicle )
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