The Ministry of Health and Community Protection told Emirates Today that it is working on a plan to rationalize the use of antibiotics, "so as not to go back to the pre-antibiotic period, when the simplest bacterial infections led to severe illness or even death."
Prevention is one of the main pillars of the plan, pointing out to providing vaccines that protect against some common diseases, thus reducing the need to use antibiotics, in addition to activating infection prevention and control units that reduce the spread of bacterial resistance in health care facilities through Induction of hand hygiene, isolation measures, use of special protective equipment when caring for people with antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The Ministry pointed to the formation of a central committee, to control and monitor the implementation of practices related to rational use of antibiotics at various levels and levels, for example, the Central Committee rationalize the use of antibiotics to develop diagnostic and therapeutic evidence for common infections, which require the use of antibiotics, and worked on Monitor antibiotic resistance, develop tools and systems to guide health practitioners to choose the most effective antibiotic against suspected bacteria, if needed, and avoid the use of antibiotics if unnecessary.
The Ministry focused on raising awareness among health practitioners through lectures, educational sessions and workshops on their proper use, and reducing bacterial resistance by experts in infectious diseases.
It has also coordinated public awareness campaigns as key partners in addressing this problem by educating them about the risks of inappropriate use of antibiotics.
The Ministry periodically monitors the use of antibiotics in all of its health facilities and shares results with health practitioners through guidance that promotes good practices and changes in other practices with a view to continuous improvement.
The ministry said that `` the consumption of antibiotics amounted to 3.86% of the total consumption of drugs in its facilities, according to the statistics of consumption of medicines for 2018, a small percentage, while global estimates indicate that more than 30% of the prescribed antibiotics are unnecessary, They are given for diseases caused by viruses, while antibiotics only work on bacteria, even in cases where antibiotics are necessary. Doctors usually use strong antibiotics instead of simple antibiotics, which are themselves effective in treating bacterial infections.
She stressed that the number of bacteria resistant to antibiotics and types are increasing. The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria varies depending on factors such as bacterial type, geographic area, specific patient categories, and specific hospital units, and it is very worrying that in rare cases we encounter types of bacteria resistant to all known and available antibiotics.
The ministry confirmed that it has set up mechanisms to supervise pharmacies, with the aim of making sure that its employees are obliged not to prescribe antibiotics except by prescription, according to Chapter 4 of the Federal Law No. (4) of 1983 on the profession of pharmacy and pharmaceutical institutions, which states that «pharmacist may not Licensed to dispense a drug or pharmaceutical preparation, except by written prescription ».
She stressed the issuance of an administrative circular to all pharmacies and pharmacists in the public and private sectors, in an affirmation of what is stipulated in the law, noting «to prevent the dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription, and rationalize consumption». The circular warned against the sale of antibiotics without a prescription, and stressed the importance of adhering to the prohibition of the dispensing of any medicine except by a prescription issued by a licensed doctor. The circular also stipulates that the ministry will inspect and verify to ensure that pharmacies abide by the provisions of the circular, and will take the necessary legal action against the violating pharmacies.
The Ministry of Health has implemented its oversight role in the intensive inspection of pharmacies, monitoring abuses and submitting them to the Pharmaceutical Licensing Committee for licensing pharmaceutical institutions and their personnel. It also punished violators pursuant to Chapter 13 of the Federal Law No. (4) for the year 1983, on the profession of pharmacy and pharmaceutical institutions Article (79), which states that «the Licensing Committee to impose on the licensed pharmacist one of the following penalties: warning, suspension from work Do not exceed the year, and withdraw the license issued to practice the profession ».
The Committee may also, under the same article, impose one of the following disciplinary penalties on the owner of the pharmaceutical institution: warning, and the closure of the pharmaceutical institution for a period not exceeding 60 days.
The Pharmaceutical Licensing Committee closed four pharmacies last year, because of irregularities concerning the dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription.
High cost .. and side effects
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), antibiotic resistance is a global threat, ranking fifth among the top 10 threats to global health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics leads to increased resistance to bacteria, which means that these usual antibiotics will lose their effectiveness, and we will be forced to use stronger and more expensive antibiotics, which negatively affects the patient, in addition to it will delay the start of antibiotics Timely active vitality, allowing the disease to develop and exacerbate. In some cases it can lead to death.
3.86%
Percentage of antibiotic consumption, from the total consumption of medicines in the establishments of the Ministry of Health.