Are We Using Too Much Antibiotics?

Microorganisms such as bacteria are everywhere, including the human body. Just as the microorganism in a vaccine in small dosages is good for building immunity, being exposed to harmful bacteria in small dosages is good for the human immune system. Antibiotics are the class of pharmaceutical drugs often prescribed to combat bacterial infections but are useless for viral infections. When certain bacteria are exposed to the same antibiotics over a long period of time, the medicine can become useless over time. The last three decades have witnessed nearly a 50% increase in prescription of antibiotics across the world.

This raises the question of whether too much antibiotics are being used.

Hospital prescription of antibiotics accounts for 20% of usage, and the rest is through self-medication in countries where antibiotics are available over the counter. Some residents of the Philippines use antibiotics for tuberculosis for their children. Studies show that the use of too much antibiotic during infancy and childhood can lead to permanent reduction in good bacteria such as Bacteroides spp. and a permanent increase in bad bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae in the gut, which develop antibiotic resistance quickly.

The direct impact of increased antibiotic use and consequent antibiotic resistance can be increased mortality rates. For example, Clostridium difficile associated disease (CDAD) is also wreaking havoc due to antibiotic resistance.

To combat the rampant usage of antibiotics and prevent antibiotic resistance, organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC have developed stewardship and awareness programs to educate the public regarding the appropriate use of antibiotics and harm in overusing them. But much more is needed to address this increasingly serious healthcare issue.

Dan Valesquea