Medical experts in the Asia Pacific region warn against further complications resulting from antibiotic misuse

Singapore: Antibiotic resistance is currently a great concern in the medical community. It leads to several adverse effects including a longer hospital stay, higher morbidity, mortality, and economic cost. Currently the greatest apprehension is that we are entering the era of "superbugs" where the existent bacteria are becoming more resistant to all antibiotics we have. We are running out of new antibiotics that can combat new resistance mechanisms.

There are various contributing factors related to the development of resistance such as genetic mutations, alterations of drug targets, the transfer of resistance genes, and the production of drug-inactivating enzymes. Inappropriate use of antibiotics is commonly associated with inducing resistance. Once being resistant, it may also resist to related drugs in the same class. Therefore, it will limit the treatment options and can be very detrimental in case of serious infections.

According to Dr Pattarachai Kiratisin, Chairman, Professor, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, “We unfortunately do not have much hope for the development of new drugs. The process of drug development and clinical trials are time consuming, and the drug resistance can emerge sooner than anticipated. We need to rethink how we handle this issue, not just at the present but also into the future. For now we strongly encourage the appropriate use of antibiotics, as it seems to be an opportunity to somehow slow down drug resistance.”

Dr Kiratisin will address the increasing concern over antibiotic resistance at the Infectious Diseases Conference at MEDLAB Asia Pacific, organised by Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions, which will takes place for the second time at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore, from 18-20 March 2015.

Many organizations around the world are continuing their focus on raising awareness about antibiotic resistance. Drug use and evaluation programs are now implemented in many hospitals to monitor appropriate use of antibiotics. Not only for humans, but drug uses in animals and agriculture also needed to be controlled .Drug resistance may develop in any part of this human-animal-plant circle, and then can be transferred to another part.

Many surveillance programs worldwide indicated that resistant bugs are increasing and spreading. New and more powerful resistance mechanisms are also expanding. So control measures are needed in order to take action immediately.