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20/05/2010
Antibiotic Resistance 'May Last 12 Months'
Patients prescribed antibiotics in primary medical care may develop a resistance that lasts as long as 12 months.
That's according to research published on the British Medical Journal's website, bmj.com.
This week's report said while it is widely recognised that resistance to antibiotics is a major threat to public health, this is not seen by most clinicians or patients as a reason to refrain from using them.
To address a lack of systematic reviews in the area, the authors analysed 24 existing studies of resistance in individual patients prescribed antibiotics in primary care, mainly for respiratory or urinary infections.
They found strong evidence that individuals prescribed an antibiotic in primary care for a respiratory or urinary infection develop a resistance.
The effect is greatest in the month immediately after treatment, but may last for up to a year, and this residual effect may be a driver for high levels of resistance in the community.
The review provides the evidence needed to quantify the link between individual prescribing decisions and the problem of resistance, the authors conclude.
They said it highlights that the only way to avoid the "vicious cycle of resistance" is to avoid the initial use of antibiotics wherever possible.
However, they also call for more clinical trials to strengthen the evidence base.
In an accompanying analysis, two specialists in economics and health policy argue that new antibiotics to tackle multi-drug resistant bacteria are much needed.
They show how financial incentives might be used to persuade drug companies to develop new antibiotics, and suggest that such action needs to be accompanied by efforts to tackle overuse of antibiotics, which is currently fuelling the spread of resistant bacteria.
These views are also reiterated in an editorial by three international experts who call for economic strategies to bring new drugs to market, and to conserve existing antibacterials.
"Nothing less than the future of medicine, from organ transplants to chemotherapy, is at stake, and there will be no second chances," they concluded.
(BMcC/GK)
That's according to research published on the British Medical Journal's website, bmj.com.
This week's report said while it is widely recognised that resistance to antibiotics is a major threat to public health, this is not seen by most clinicians or patients as a reason to refrain from using them.
To address a lack of systematic reviews in the area, the authors analysed 24 existing studies of resistance in individual patients prescribed antibiotics in primary care, mainly for respiratory or urinary infections.
They found strong evidence that individuals prescribed an antibiotic in primary care for a respiratory or urinary infection develop a resistance.
The effect is greatest in the month immediately after treatment, but may last for up to a year, and this residual effect may be a driver for high levels of resistance in the community.
The review provides the evidence needed to quantify the link between individual prescribing decisions and the problem of resistance, the authors conclude.
They said it highlights that the only way to avoid the "vicious cycle of resistance" is to avoid the initial use of antibiotics wherever possible.
However, they also call for more clinical trials to strengthen the evidence base.
In an accompanying analysis, two specialists in economics and health policy argue that new antibiotics to tackle multi-drug resistant bacteria are much needed.
They show how financial incentives might be used to persuade drug companies to develop new antibiotics, and suggest that such action needs to be accompanied by efforts to tackle overuse of antibiotics, which is currently fuelling the spread of resistant bacteria.
These views are also reiterated in an editorial by three international experts who call for economic strategies to bring new drugs to market, and to conserve existing antibacterials.
"Nothing less than the future of medicine, from organ transplants to chemotherapy, is at stake, and there will be no second chances," they concluded.
(BMcC/GK)
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30 April 2014
Antibiotic Resistance Is A Major Threat To Public Health - WHO
A new report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) – its first to look at antimicrobial resistance, including antibiotic resistance, globally – reveals that this serious threat is no longer a prediction for the future, it is happening right now in every region of the world and has the potential to affect anyone, of any age, in any country.
Antibiotic Resistance Is A Major Threat To Public Health - WHO
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18 November 2010
'Get Well Without Antibiotics' Launched
A new drive to raise antibiotics awareness was launched today to remind the public that antibiotics do not work in treating viral infections such as coughs and colds.
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New drug raises hope of cancer treatment
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New drug raises hope of cancer treatment
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18 November 2011
Gov Urges Limit On Antibiotics
Doctors and nurses are being asked to limit prescriptions for antibiotics to prevent resistance to the drugs developing among patients. The Department of Health on Friday published guidance on the use of antibiotics in hospitals to coincide with European Antibiotics Awareness Day.
Gov Urges Limit On Antibiotics
Doctors and nurses are being asked to limit prescriptions for antibiotics to prevent resistance to the drugs developing among patients. The Department of Health on Friday published guidance on the use of antibiotics in hospitals to coincide with European Antibiotics Awareness Day.
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