Ministry adopts WHO guidelines on antibiotics
Ms Sarah Opendi, the State minister of Health-in-charge of General Duties
Kampala. The Ministry of Health is set to restrict the sale of antibacterials over the counter as per the new World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations intended to combat the bacteria resistance to drugs.
Ms Sarah Opendi, the State minister of Health-in-charge of General Duties, last week said there is misuse of drugs used to slow down the growth of bacteria and there is need to follow recommendations.
“Self-medication is rampant of late. Everyone has become a doctor and this poor health seeking behaviour is something that we have to look into though we need a lot of cooperation,” Ms Opendi said.
WHO last month launched a global campaign urging governments to adopt a tool developed by its Essential Medicines List to reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance, adverse events and costs.
Global threat
Ms Amina Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General and Co-Chair of the Interagency Coordinating Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, said: “Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest threats we face as a global community. This report reflects the depth and scope of response needed to curb its rise and protect a century of progress in health.”
Currently, at least 700,000 people die each year due to drug-resistant diseases, including 230,000 people, who die from multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, according to WHO.
The AWaRe (for Access, Watch, and Reserve) tool classifies antibiotics into three groups, including antibiotics to use for the most common and serious infections (Access), those which should be available at all times in the healthcare system (Watch), and those that must be used sparingly or preserved and used only as a last resort (Reserves).
WHO recommendations
• Prioritise national action plans to scaleup financing and capacity-building efforts.
• Put in place stronger regulatory systems and support awareness programmes for responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials by professionals in human, animal and plant health.
• Invest in ambitious research and development for new technologies to combat antimicrobial resistance.
• Urgently phase out the use of critically important antimicrobials as growth promoters in the agriculture sector.
