WHO reminds of the dangers of antibiotic abuse

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia – World Health Organization (WHO) once again reminded citizens of the world of the dangers of antibiotics. The excessive use of antibiotics in several countries can lead to a series of life-threatening diseases.

This warning comes from data belonging to the WHO in 2015. These data show the habit of using antibiotics in 65 countries. As a result, there were significant differences in the level of antibiotic consumption. From lowest to 4 defined daily doses (DDD) per 1,000 inhabitants to more than 64 DDD.

"The big difference in the use of antibiotics shows that some countries are considered" rich "in antibiotics, while others are not," the WHO wrote in a statement. AFP.

There is an imbalance in this matter. Some countries have easy access to medicines, including antibiotics, while others still have difficulty accessing medicines.

The WHO report also shows a big difference in the level of antibiotic consumption, even in one region. In Turkey, for example, the consumption of antibiotics is five times higher than in other neighboring countries, such as Azerbaijan.

The WHO itself recognizes that the use of antibiotics in the medical world is far from perfect.

Antibiotic crisis

Previously, WHO had repeatedly warned the world against the antibiotic crisis. Last year, WHO also urged governments in all countries and the pharmaceutical industry to create a new generation of drugs to fight against increasingly drug-resistant bacteria.

"Excessive use (antibiotics) is the leading cause of antibiotic resistance," said WHO's Chief of the Essential Drugs Unit, Suzanne Hill.

Without the help of antibiotics, says Hill, the body loses the ability to treat infections and fight invading bacteria.

Discovered in 1928, antibiotics saved tens of millions of lives by fighting diseases of bacterial origin such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and meningitis.

However, in recent decades, bacteria have become stronger. Bacteria are able to fight and develop drug resistance.

Bacteria can also become resistant when patients use unnecessary antibiotics or do not complete their treatment. In this way, the body indirectly lets the bacteria grow.

Hill emphasized that these findings indicate that various parties must take urgent action. One of them urges the medical world to develop prescription policies by reducing unnecessary antibiotics to patients.