Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority’s Post

🌍 Antibiotic Resistance: A Global Health Crisis and India's Call to Action at UNGA79 🌍 As the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly approaches, the WHO is sounding the alarm on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) — a global threat that demands urgent action. One of the starkest examples is Tuberculosis (TB) in India, where drug-resistant TB poses a major public health challenge. 💊 India’s TB Crisis: India accounts for 26% of the world's TB cases, with over 2.5 million cases reported annually. Worryingly, India also has the highest burden of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), with over 110000 cases in 2022 alone. Drug resistance is making treatment longer and less effective, leading to increased mortality and a financial strain on both individuals and the healthcare system. 📉 TB Treatment Success Rates: In India, the treatment success rate for drug-resistant TB is just 56% and for XDR-TB is 48% compared to over 85% for drug-sensitive TB. This difference illustrates the urgent need for targeted interventions to combat AMR. What can India do to address this crisis? 🔍 Here are key areas that need focus: 1️⃣ Surveillance & Diagnostics: Improve diagnostic capacity to identify drug-resistant TB early. Currently, only 52% of MDR-TB cases in India are detected. 2️⃣ Stewardship Programs: Reduce antibiotic misuse in healthcare and agriculture. Up to 70% of antibiotics in India are used in livestock, increasing the risk of resistance. 3️⃣ Infection Control: Invest in public health infrastructure to prevent the spread of TB. Studies show that proper infection control could reduce transmission by 60%. 4️⃣ Research & Development: Increase funding for new TB treatments and diagnostics. Globally, India contributes to 20% of new TB drugs in the pipeline. 5️⃣ Community Awareness & Education: Encourage adherence to TB treatment regimens, as 17% of patients do not complete their courses, fueling resistance. At UNGA79, global leaders, including India, must act decisively. By focusing on TB, we can lead the charge in combating AMR and safeguarding public health. #AntibioticResistance #UNGA79 #TBTreatment #AMR #IndiaFightsTB #GlobalHealth #WorldHealthOrganization #PublicHealthCrisis #Stewardship #Innovation #SustainableHealthcare World Health Organization https://lnkd.in/ghr92239

📰 AMR in the News A new study from the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance Project estimates nearly 40 million people could die from antibiotic-resistant infections by 2050 – a grim reminder of the urgency of the ongoing superbug crisis. ‘Using statistical modeling, the researchers produced estimates of deaths and illnesses attributable to AMR by 2050 in three scenarios: if the current climate continues, if new potent antibiotic drugs are developed to target resistant pathogens, and if the world has improved quality of healthcare for infections and better access to antibiotics. ‘The forecasts show that deaths from antimicrobial resistance will increase by 2050 if measures are not in place to improve access to quality care, powerful antibiotics and other resources to reduce and treat infections.’ In the face of this growing emergency, Lumos' point-of-care diagnostic tests offer a vital tool. By aiding clinicians in making informed treatment decisions and reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, our tests can help preserve the effectiveness of existing antibiotics while the world awaits new solutions. Read more about the study 👉 https://lnkd.in/ggXhyqAj $LDX #LDX #AMR #superbugs #antibioticresistance #publichealth #Lumos #pointofcare #diagnostics 

🔬 Antimicrobial resistance: A global threat that requires a collective response 🌍 This year, during World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2024, it is important to remind once again about one of the biggest challenges we face in healthcare - antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This global problem threatens the effectiveness of antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs, which can seriously compromise our ability to treat even the simplest infections. The article I am sharing explores key aspects of AMR and highlights the need for a global, collaborative response. The problem of antimicrobial resistance knows no borders, and in order to prevent its further growth, the cooperation of all sectors is needed - from health professionals to legislators and industry. I invite you to read the article, learn more about this important issue and join the global fight against antimicrobial resistance. Together we can ensure a healthier future!

As we complete the World Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR ) Awareness Week ( 18- 24 November ) it is important to highlight it as a Growing Global Concern. AMR occurs when microorganisms develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs, making infections harder to treat. Data, Facts, and Figures: 1. 10 million deaths by 2050: AMR could claim more lives than cancer, if left unchecked. (Source: Review on Antimicrobial Resistance) 2. 70% of bacteria resistant: In India, 70% of bacteria are resistant to commonly used antibiotics. (Source: Indian Journal of Medical Research) 3. $20 trillion economic burden: AMR could cost the global economy $20 trillion by 2050. (Source: World Bank) Corrective Measures: 1. Antibiotic Stewardship: Promote responsible use of antibiotics in humans and animals. 2. Infection Prevention and Control: Implement effective IPC practices in healthcare settings. 3. Vaccination: Develop and use effective vaccines to prevent infections. 4. Research and Development: Encourage R&D of new antimicrobial drugs and diagnostics. Norms and Notifications: 1. National Action Plan on AMR: India's NAP-AMR (2017-2021) outlines strategies to combat AMR. 2. CDSCO Guidelines: Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) guidelines for antibiotic use and AMR surveillance. 3. WHO Global Action Plan: World Health Organization's (WHO) global plan to combat AMR. What Can You Do? 1. Use antibiotics responsibly: Only use antibiotics when prescribed by a healthcare professional. 2. Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands regularly, especially in healthcare settings. 3. Get vaccinated: Stay up-to-date on recommended vaccinations to prevent infections. 4. Support AMR research: Encourage and support research initiatives to combat AMR. We are working with Industry Associations, Government and Pharma companies to create platforms / events / norms to Educate, Advocate and Act now. #AMR #AntiMicrobialResistance #GlobalHealth #PublicHealth #InfectionPrevention #neogensolutions #AntibioticStewardship #pragency

ReAct has now launches its briefing and puts forward its recommendations for global collective action to address antibiotic resistance. Read it at  https://lnkd.in/djyJ5K7n “Addressing antibiotic resistance effectively will require big changes – to governance, financing, systems transformation and the change of behaviors and practices. But at the end of the day the end goal must be to ensure that everyone who has a resistant infection, or requires surgery, or needs cancer treatment, or is born premature can in fact access effective antibiotics in the future – this is the expectation that we should all voice to governments from now to September next year.” says ReAct Africa Director Mirfin Mpundu ReAct - Action on Antibiotic Resistance OAZIS Health WHO Rwanda Ministry of Health Rwanda Leandre Ishema M.D, MSc Iradukunda Hyppolyte

Of the 16 countries that reported the presence of hvKp strains, 12 (Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Canada, India, Iran, Japan, Oman, Philippines, Switzerland, Thailand, and the United Kingdom) specifically reported the presence of the ST23-K1 strain. The United States is among the countries that reported the presence of hvKp strains. When you couple carbapenem-resistance with the hypervirulence exhibited by certain strains of K pneumoniae it is a recipe for increased morbidity and mortality from this bacterium. The WHO said the risk at the global level is moderate because there is currently no systematic surveillance for the routine identification, reporting, and monitoring of hvKp strains, and data on infections, hospitalizations, and the burden of disease are limited. Furthermore, many low-resource countries have limited diagnostic capacity and lack the molecular testing to identify virulence or resistance genes. And even in countries that have the ability to identify and analyze hvKp strains, the agency said, many physicians are unfamiliar with the clinical presentation of hvKp infections, and hvKp "may go unnoticed."

Important facts and figures on #UTI and #antibioticresistance. Read on!

Lassa fever: deadly but often undetected We evaluated a promising rapid bedside test for Lassa fever in a Nigerian hospital. Unfortunately, the test did not perform well in this context. Diagnostics for Lassa fever - a very dangerous disease in West Africa - are still not widely available. This is because reliable diagnostics (molecular diagnostics) require advanced microbiology labs. Lassa fever is difficult to recognize in a clinic, posing a risk for healthcare staff to become infected with Lassa virus themselves, especially when Lassa fever remains undiagnosed. This study was performed with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Luxembourg, @NCDC, @AE-FUTHA, and published online in The Lancet Infectious Diseases today, alongside a comment by Groger et al. that further emphasize the need for a rapid diagnostic test for Lassa fever. Read our article here: https://lnkd.in/evS6WaQc Read the comment of Groger et al. here: https://lnkd.in/exBMPnSJ Temmy Sunyoto

As public health advocates, I want to address on Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) which continues to be a significant global public health concern, as an increasing number of antibiotics and antifungal agents are losing their effectiveness. As bacteria develop resistance and adapt to treatments aimed at eliminating them, the effectiveness of public health efforts is increasingly compromised. Bacteria employ various defense mechanisms to render antibacterial agents ineffective, such as limiting antibiotic access, expelling antibiotics from the body through active efflux strategies, inactivating the antibiotic or its target, and evading the drug's effects through mutations. When bacteria possess the appropriate combination of resistance mechanisms, the effectiveness of antibacterial treatments is significantly reduced. The World Health Organization (WHO) released its latest report on antibacterial agents in development. While the number of agents in the clinical pipeline increased from 80 in 2021 to 97 in 2023, there's still an urgent need for new, innovative antibiotics to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The WHO emphasizes the importance of developing new antibacterial agents alongside efforts to ensure their equitable access, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Below are some ways to crub against Antimicrobial Resistance 1. Improve antibiotic stewardship by implementing guidelines for appropriate antibiotic usage. 2. Enhance infection prevention and control by promoting proper hygiene practices in healthcare settings. 3. Strengthen surveillance systems to monitor resistance patterns. 4. Regulate antibiotic use in agriculture by limiting antibiotic use in livestock for growth promotion. 5. Invest in research and development by improving diagnostic tools for faster, more accurate pathogen identification. Kumi Bismark University of Cape Coast #public health advocates # let all come together to fight microbial infections and AMR for a better health outcome.

"Antimicrobial resistance threatens a century of medical progress and could return us to the pre-antibiotic era, where infections that are treatable today could become a death sentence," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, said in a press release. "This is a threat for all countries at all income levels, which is why a strong, accelerated and well-coordinated global response is needed urgently." In other news announced ahead of the UN High-Level Meeting on AMR, the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) said today that 10 public and private funders have pledged $66 million to support its efforts to develop new treatments for drug-resistant infections. The funding will help GARDP pursue its strategy of partnering with drugmakers to accelerate the development of antibiotics targeting WHO priority pathogens and ensure that those antibiotics are accessible in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Many LMICs are seeing rising mortality from drug-resistant infections yet have limited or no access to the few new antibiotics that can treat those infections.