E-DRUG: Do pharmaceutical industries serve as advocacy group to tackle the menace of antibiotic resistance?
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16 July 2010
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/eletters/180/4/416
Shazia Jamshed
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia
The discovery of wonder antibiotic Penicillin is a miracle which changed the course of infectious scenarios around the globe. The emergence of an enzyme pencillinase to destroy benzylpenicillin was simultaneously reported with the disclosure of clinical use of Penicillin, thus indicative of the fact that the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance is as old as the discovery of Penicillin itself (1). A plethora of approaches might serve as prophylactic measures to antimicrobial resistance and thus, 'Antimicrobial Stewardship' is a key component to those approaches. A sound and rational antimicrobial stewardship is not only the selection of best possible drug therapy at its optimal duration and dosage but to curtail the side effects and hassles for the choice of resistant strains (2). Antimicrobial Stewardship programs are thought to be wakeup calls to both clinicians and healthcare administrators (3). As Dryden and associates pointed out that not only free availability of antibiotics but the phenomenon of antibiotic use is itself directly proportional to antibiotic resistance menace and therefore, the regulatory bodies and government agencies must channelize their energies to influence antimicrobial stewardship (4). Still, there is one stakeholder, the pharmaceutical industry, which, although remains under steady scrutiny can serve as an impetus to persuade both the healthcare professional and the consumer towards rational utilization of antibiotics.
Pharmaceutical industry, being constantly accused of entwining its 'promotional slithery arms and tentacles' around all the actors in the health arena can show a moral obligation towards society and, thus, can strike a balance in between the true need of antibiotics and their own monetary gains. Every antibiotic pack with an embossment of caption 'USE ANTIBIOTIC RATIONALLY' is not a hard pill to swallow by the pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, promotional campaigns whether in the print media or mass media (where legal) can put a statement, which emphasizes on the rational use of antibiotics; thus indicative of the moral sensibility of the industry towards society. Another proposed measure is the Alliance of Global Pharmaceutical Industries (AGPi) which will serve as an advocacy group to strengthen the efforts of healthcare professionals and consumers in fighting the battle of antimicrobial resistance. This 'Modern Day Pied Piper' of antibiotic resistance which is now exercising its fullest potential needs immediate and sustained action to prevent an unimaginable cataclysm in the sphere of health.
Shazia Qasim Jamshed PhD Fellow Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Universiti Sains Malaysia Penang Malaysia
Dr Mohamed Azmi Ahmad Hassali Chairman Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Universiti Sains Malaysia Penang Malaysia
Professor Mohamed Izham Mohamed Ibrahim Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Universiti Sains Malaysia Penang Malaysia
References
1. Abraham EP, Chain E. An Enzyme from Bacteria able to Destroy Pencillin. Nature 1940;3713:837.
2. Paskovaty A, Pflomm JM, Myke N, Seo SK. A multidisciplinary approach to antimicrobial stewardship: evolution into the 21st century. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 2005;25(1):1-10.
3. Owens RC, Fraser GL, Stogsdill P. Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs as a Means to Optuimize Anitmicrobial Use. Pharmacotherapy 2004;24(7).
4. Dryden MS, Cooke J, Davey P. Antibiotic stewardship--more education and regulation not more availability? J Antimicrob Chemother 2009 November 1, 2009;64(5):885-8.
Conflict of Interest:
None declared