Antibiotic programme under development for students, pharmacists

HEALTH officials recently convened a conference to develop a training programme addressing antibiotic drug management for students enrolled in the nation’s health education institutions.

The focus of the discussion centred on updating national clinical management guidelines for antibiotic treatment within healthcare centres established in 2019 and 2023.

The consultative workshop brought together experts from the Ministry of Health’s Communicable Disease Control Department (CDC), Planning and Health Information Department, Drugs and Food Department, as well as professionals from the University of Health Sciences (UHS) and the National Institute of Public Health. Officials from 25 municipal-provincial hospitals and various relevant stakeholders also participated.

“In this discussion, the expert officials crafted a competency training programme draft concerning antibiotic treatment. This curriculum aims to properly train medical students in all aspects of antibiotic protocols,” said the ministry.

Experts delved into the roles and responsibilities of the working group, technical conditions and the necessary infrastructure for effective drug management to mitigate public health risks stemming from antibiotic drug resistance due to their frequent and indiscriminate misuse.

On December 26, Y Lima, a public health expert and vicerector of Chenla University, highlighted the crucial need for careful handling and administration of all medications, especially by individuals possessing the required knowledge and skills.

He commended the ministry’s initiative, highlighting its significance not only for those in the pharmaceutical sector requiring training in antibiotic treatment but also for doctors, pharmacists and the general public as well.

“I have observed the overall misuse of antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription,” he said.

Lima pointed out a significant risk – the absence of genuine pharmacists in many pharmacies, where some display a pharmacist’s name only for licensing purposes.

This situation contributes to the widespread and improper dispensing and use of medications across the country.

Lima pointed out that during the ministry’s inspections and research, it is frequently observed that individuals posing as pharmacists are either standing idly or pretending to be pharmacists. This situation significantly contributes to the prevalence of over-the-counter drug misuse and irresponsible dispensing of powerful medications. Notably, those involved in selling medicines should undergo training courses, enabling them to properly combine drugs for effective disease treatment.