Misuse of antibiotics can cause drug resistance, say experts

LUCKNOW: Sometimes antibiotics are less effective, or do not work at all, for the simple reason that they are misused.

There are roughly 100 types of antibiotics. Those launched before 1970 have now become obsolete.

Prof Dipak Malviya, director of Dr RML Institute of Medical Sciences said here at a seminar that irrational use of medicine is responsible for drug-resistance.

Experts said that new bacteria were now being reported and drugs were ineffective in combating them. It was important that drug resistance was checked and patients educated about correct use of medicine.

Meanwhile, president of the Government Pharmacists Federation, UP and State Pharmacy Council Sunil Yadav said that pharmacists all over the country were dedicating a week (starting from Sunday) to educate patients about correct use of drugs and awareness about TB.

“When a doctor prescribes a drug, the patient never asks about the correct manner of use. Many times drugs are gradually reduced before being withdrawn. But hardly anyone follows the instructions, leading to resistance for the particular drug,” Yadav said in a press statement on Sunday.

He said there were the specific areas in which patient or their care provider must get adequate authentic details to devise ways and means to avoid damage to health. Attendants should not hesitate to ask pharmacists about correct drug use.

EXPERTS SAID THAT NEW BACTERIA WERE NOW BEING REPORTED AND DRUGS WERE INEFFECTIVE IN COMBATING THEM