Responsible antibiotic therapy simplified

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is a global problem and is particularly pressing in developing countries where the infectious disease burden is very high. In developing countries, where relatively easy availability and higher consumption of medicines have led to disproportionately higher incidence of inappropriate use of antibiotics and greater levels of resistance compared to developed countries. The bacterial disease burden in India is among the highest in the world; consequently, antibiotics will play a critical role in limiting morbidity and mortality in the country. Improving antibiotic prescribing and use is critical to effectively treat infections, protect patients from harms caused by unnecessary antibiotic use, and combat antibiotic resistance. Responsible antibiotic therapy is one of the most important components of antibiotic stewardship. The current article is an attempt to provide a set of key principles to guide efforts to improve responsible and rational antibiotic use.