Academic partnership with the Imperial College London's NIHR Health Protection Research Unit for Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and Science Daily report self-prescribing of antibiotics, illegal availability through online pharmacies, and antibiotic resistance is a killing monster in the making.
Investigators
Investigators conducted an analysis which discovered that 45 percent of Online Pharmacy websites illegally sold antibiotics without a prescription order from a physician. In addition, consumers selected their own antibiotic drug of choice, dosages, and length of treatment in 80 percent of purchases.
The inherent dangers are deadly side effects and antimicrobial resistance.
Published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, the examination corroborates and validates the World Health Organization (WHO) position. Antibiotic resistance has escalated over the past 70 years. It is the greatest menace to world health, food safety, and advancement.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are the primary means of defense against bacterial and other microbial infections that attack the immune system. The inappropriate use of the power contained in these agents, combined with antibiotic abuse has led to snowballing microbial resistance. Wherein, the bacteria create alternative processes to defeat, circumvent, and destroy the antibiotic.
This ensures the survival of the bacteria in which it continues to reproduce causing and magnifying cell destruction.
Stewardship
Authorities are seeking stewardship. These online pharmacies were reported to the regulatory agency. Additional findings include:
- · 30 percent of online pharmacies failed to deliver prescription medication guides, side effects, and drug interaction information to consumers.
- · 70 percent of online pharmacies failed to have a client health information questionnaire completed before the purchase.
- · 25 percent of consumers self-report using antibiotics without medical approval.
According to the World Health Organization, "Without urgent, coordinated action, the world is heading towards a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries, which have been treatable for decades, can once again kill."
