As a result of the studies and information provided for the rational use of antibiotics under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TITCK), antibiotic consumption has decreased by 19 percent since 2011.
According to the information compiled within the scope of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week on November 18-24, antibiotic resistance is one of the issues that the World Health Organization (WHO) and many countries pay careful attention to and strive to develop solutions for.
The development of resistance, briefly defined as “the ability of a microorganism to resist the effects of antibiotics”, is also called the “silent epidemic of the age” by international organizations and experts.
According to the latest international data, approximately 700 thousand people die every year in the world due to infections caused by bacteria resistant to antibiotics. It is stated that if the development of antimicrobial resistance cannot be prevented and effective antibiotics cannot be developed, approximately 10 million people will lose their lives due to infection in 2050.
The development of resistance to antibiotics, which can be a “miracle” for human life with proper use, occurs as a result of intensive and unnecessary consumption. This resistance development negatively affects not only human health but also animals and agriculture.
ANTIBIOTIC CONSUMPTION DECREASED BY 19 PERCENT
While organizations such as WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have formed an alliance with government officials, pharmaceutical companies, non-governmental organizations and UN organizations to create a solution to increasing antibiotic resistance, a program for rational use of drugs and antibiotics is being carried out in Turkey under the leadership of the Ministry of Health TITCK.
Within the scope of this program, studies are carried out for physicians and healthcare professionals who prescribe antibiotics, while information brochures and meetings are organized to increase social awareness.
As a result of these efforts to prevent unnecessary antibiotic use, antibiotic consumption in Turkey was reduced by 19 percent.
DAILY ANTIBIOTIC CONSUMPTION PER 1000 PEOPLE 34.2
According to TITCK data, there was also a decrease in the daily amount of antibiotic consumption per 1000 people.
Daily antibiotic consumption per 1000 people, which was 42.2 units in 2011, decreased to 40.1 in 2016. Following certain decreases and partial increases over the years, the daily amount of antibiotic consumption per 1000 people was recorded as 34.2 as of last year.
With the studies carried out to reduce the development of antibiotic resistance, it is aimed to further reduce this rate in the coming years.
ANTIBIOTICS ARE PAIN RELIEFS, NOT FEVER REDUCERS
Experts point out that antibiotics are effective and curative only in bacterial infections.
It is important that antibiotics, which are not painkillers or antipyretics and should not be used haphazardly, should be used only in the presence of bacterial infection and within the specified period with the advice of a physician.
