Antibiotic resistance : Achallenge for society

Abstract

Without doubt, drug resistance is now one of the greatest health threats of our time. Not even 100years after the discovery of the first antibiotics that saved human lives, we find ourselves threatened by the thought of apost-antibiotic era. Currently it is estimated that around 700,000people die annually as aconsequence of drug-resistant infections. Antibiotic resistance is anatural phenomenon with bacteria having devised several ways of combating the antibiotic attack. Rather than being aspontaneous event, resistance becomes an integral part of the microbe's genetic make-up, spreading further between and across species. However, the misuse and overuse of antibiotics over the years has in fact allowed for resistant bacteria to thrive, while slowly wiping out sensitive bacteria. Spreading awareness and proper information in the community about the risks and consequences of arapidly developing antibiotic resistance is essential in tackling this global problem. In working together as an entire community, we can find long-lasting solutions. The One Health concept includes human and veterinary medical sectors, the environmental sector, as well as various decision-making bodies that include individual action as well as national and international policymakers. The role of stakeholders like pharmaceutical companies and agriculturists must be given importance, too, thinking all the while in aglobal context. Only this way will we find solutions for sustainable healthcare and together help slow down the process of antibiotic resistance.