Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when some microbes (bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi) develop resistance to drugs that were previously able to fight them, making treatment less effective or completely ineffective. AMR develops naturally over time, usually through genetic changes, but is accelerated when antimicrobials are used excessively or incorrectly. Prudent use means using the right drug, when needed, in the right dose, frequency, and duration. Antibiotics kill all bacteria (both the good and the disease-causing ones) except for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which then have the conditions to grow and pass on the mutation to other bacteria.
The “Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance” launched by the World Health Organization and adopted in 2015 by the World Health Assembly has five strategic objectives:
- increasing awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance
- strengthening knowledge through supervision and research
- reducing the incidence of infections
- optimizing the use of antimicrobial agents
- increased investment in new medicines.
Special report no. 21/2019 of the European Court of Auditors (https://www.eca.europa.eu/ro/Pages/DocItem.aspx?did=51992) states, among other things, why fighting RAM is complicated:
- Continued excessive or incorrect use of antimicrobials in human and animal health accelerates the development of AMR.
- Data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) indicate that basic diagnostic tests in hospitals are not carried out as often as needed across the EU.
- After 1984, no new class of antibiotics became available. It has been estimated that bringing a new antibiotic to market could cost €1 billion.
Senior Pharmacist Anca Crupariu
The Romanian College of Pharmacists
Strada Doamnei 27, București 030052