Tashkent hosted a press conference dedicated to the World Antibiotic Awareness Week. The work of this event was attended by members and active young people - volunteers of the Tashkent pediatric medical institute.

Antibiotic resistance is called a growing threat to human health. In Uzbekistan, the control of destination and dispensing of antibiotics in pharmacies will be improved.

Antibiotics are among the most prescribed drugs in the world and are used in almost all areas of medicine. However, as a result of misuse, they stop helping when they are really needed. On a global scale, antibiotic resistance has become a growing global threat to human health.

From infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria, about 700 thousand people die every year in the world. These data were announced on Wednesday at a press conference on World Week of correct use of antibiotics.

“It is imperative that antimicrobials used to treat infectious diseases in animals and humans are treated with extreme care and used with caution,” said Lian Kuppens, head of the WHO office in Uzbekistan. “It’s impossible to achieve change if we don’t ensure the participation of the whole society and the state in actions carried out in all sectors and at all levels.”

The One Health approach, promoted by WHO, encourages livestock, health and environmental sectors to work together to prevent the misuse of antibiotics.

“Uzbekistan is aware of the real threat associated with the spread of antibiotic resistance. We are close to finalizing a national action plan, ”said Khalida Akhmedova, deputy director of the scientific research institute for epidemiology, microbiology and infectious diseases.

Antibiotics with and without prescription

Antibiotics are not included in the list of over-the-counter medicines and must be dispensed in pharmacies upon presentation of a prescription on a special form. However, this rule is universally violated in Uzbekistan.

“We have a really big problem with the fact that antimicrobials are available without a prescription. Although this issue is strictly regulated by normative documents, ”said Muhabbat Ibrahimova, national coordinator for the use of antibiotics and head of the department of the State Center for Drug Evaluation and Standardization.

“The introduction of the system of electronic prescriptions and case histories in 2020 will make it possible to record all appointments in the database and track the delivery of drugs. This will ensure rational prescribing of medicines and their rational vacation, ”she said.

It is also proposed to amend the Administrative Responsibility Code, which provides for penalties for over-the-counter selling of drugs that are not included in the list, Muhabbat Ibragimova said.