The World Health Organization (WHO) today warned of a possible return to the days before antibiotics were developed unless global action is taken urgently to combat the growing problem of drug resistance.
WHO cautioned that the misuse and irrational use of drugs are weakening the fight against diseases, such as tuberculosis and malaria, that should have been contained decades ago. At the same time, other age-old diseases are on the rise, with the possibility of no cure.
The rallying cry of this year's World Health Day, observed on 7 April is "Combat drug resistance! No action today, no cure tomorrow." It seeks to raise awareness about what drives antimicrobial resistance and how to halt it.
"Antimicrobial drug resistance is a complex problem, and it requires a comprehensive response among and between Member States across different sectors," said Dr Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific.
WHO will launch on World Health Day a six-point policy package for countries in an effort to fight drug resistance. The six points are:(1) committing to a comprehensive, financed national plan with lines of accountability and community engagement;(2) strengthening surveillance and laboratory capacity;(3) ensuring a regular supply of good-quality medicines;(4) regulating and promoting rational use of medicines and proper patient care;(5) enhancing infection prevention and control in health settings; and(6) fostering innovation, research and development.
WHO said antimicrobial resistance is a global concern not only because it kills but because it increases health costs and threatens patient care. The problems include:
(1) An estimated 440 000 new multidrug resistant-TB cases around the world annually, with extensively drug resistant-TB, identified in 58 countries to date. (2) The fight against malaria is hampered by the emergence of resistance to the frontline drug, artemisinin. (3) Treatment for gonorrhoea is threatened by growing resistance to the last-line treatment for this sexually transmitted infection.(4) The emergence of hospital-acquired "superbugs", resistant to major antibiotics, is becoming increasingly frequent.
In response to the threat of antimicrobial resistance, WHO developed the first Global Strategy for Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance in 2001, but strategies for containment have not been widely implemented, WHO said. While action is needed, commitment, implementation and accountability have lagged behind. The newly launched six-point package will engage all WHO's 193 Member States and the global health community to foster action for change.
The World Health Day' message will target health ministers, other policy-makers and health leaders; the public, patients and civil society; the pharmaceutical industry, health institutions, prescribers and dispensers; and the media.