Admit it, how many of us actually finish the antibiotics that are prescribed to us by the doctor or pharmacist? Although they generally ask us to always finish consuming the antibiotics given to us even though we are no longer sick, some of us think that we are more qualified than doctors and ignore this advice. Already feeling well mah, why still need to eat medicine some more?
Source: Orissa Post
Well, it’s this attitude that must be stopped because it is helping antimicrobial resistance (AMR). According to Harian Metro, this is a health crisis that is happening that can potentially kill 10 million people in a year and will cost RM420 trillion by the year 2050.
The Ministry of Health also echoes this warning and urges members of the public to finish their prescribed course of antibiotics. In a post on their Facebook page, they said that we should never keep the antibiotics in case we fall sick again but to just finish it.
Source: BBC
“Use of antibiotics must be controlled. Doctors, pharmacists and the public must be careful when using antibiotics as it is very precious. Antibiotics should only be prescribed for bacterial infections in the right dose and at the right time,” they said.
AMR is a catastrophe waiting to happen and the threat is very real, as Professor Madya Dr Sasheela Sri La Sri Ponnampalavanar from Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya (PPUM) says. She added that the defense mechanisms of microorganisms such as bacteria, mould, virus and parasites change when exposed to antimicrobial medicines but are not fully treated. Which means it’s still dangerous!
Source: EBPCOOH
New medicines will have to be used to fight these new strains and we are running out of antibiotics to treat them, which means superbugs are on the rise.
She also said that there are limited choices to treat these superbugs these days and she has seen many patients suffering due to AMR.
Dr Sasheela said that patients should avoid visiting several doctors at the same time and focus on one first until the infection is fully treated. They can also seek more information from the doctors about the medicine they were prescribed if needed.
You heard the doctor and also MOH, so remember to eat your medicines responsibly!
Also read: Chickens in Malaysia Revealed to be Raised with Antibiotics, Cause Great Health Concerns
