Despite many proposals and initiatives in recent decades, the world has failed to keep pace with microbes becoming increasingly resistant to available treatments (antimicrobial resistance), posing a serious health threat.
Antimicrobial Resistance is recognized as a threat to Sustainable Development Goals and efforts in the resolution “Transforming our world the 2030 Agenda”, and affects the pace in the fight against diseases such as malaria, HIV and AIDS, Ebola and other non- communicable diseases in developing countries.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change in ways that render the medications used to cure the infections they cause ineffective. When the microorganisms become resistant to most antimicrobials they are often referred to as “superbugs”.
Clinical Scientist Council of Zimbabwe Dr Sekesai Zinyowera said, in every region of the world, bacteria and other microbes are becoming more resistant to modern medicine, causing people to be sicker for longer and increasing the challenges and costs of health care.
Zinyowera said the emergence of these drug- resistant “super- bugs” has even been described as “ worse than AIDS” and the only joint actions to promote correct use of antibiotics can minimize the threat of antimicrobial resistance and helps us prolong the useful lifespan of these drugs.
Dr Zinyowera added in communities, where patients do not have access to basic health facilities, many patients are forced to look for other sources for health provisions.
“Many of these sources are illegal and provide fake and poor quality medicines that not only contribute to antibiotic resistance but also result to prolonged sickness.
“It is therefore very important that communities protect themselves against fake drugs by avoiding and speaking up against unauthorized drug dealers.
“To avoid an AMR tragedy of the commons situation, antimicrobial effectiveness needs to be recognized as a fundamentally important global public good and governed accordingly.
“In addition to the Global Action Plan on AMR, there is critical need for cross sectoral global action by countries and other stakeholders to complement it”, Dr Zinyowera explained.
The Clinical Scientist highlighted that, there have been multiple calls from various bodies including the G7 Health, Ministries, the Foreign Policy and Global Health Initiative, and an alliance of champion countries for a multi- stakeholder approach to control AMR.
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ)’S aim is to guarantee the quality, efficacy and safety of the medicinal products within the scope of the MCAZ, according to the latest standards prevailing in science and technology, and thus to contribute to the availability of medicinal products with a positive benefit/risk assessment in Zimbabwe.
MCAZ expects said the mission of the organisation is to protect the public and animal health by ensuring that accessible medicines and medical devices are safe, effective and of good quality, through enforcement of adherence to standards by manufacturers and distributors.
“MCAZ conducts quality testing of ARVs, anti-TBs, anti-malarial medicines that are imported into the country by government and its development partners UNDP, and Unicef, as well as humanitarian non-governmental organisations.
“ The presence of a strong regulator as MCAZ in the country deters counterfeiters from shipping fake ARVs, antimalarial, anti-TB into the country as is known to happen in poorly resourced and poorly regulated markets”, MCAZ report.
WHO Antibiotic Report (2014) said antimicrobial resistance, including antibiotic resistance, globally- reveals that this serious threat is no longer a prediction for the future; it is happening right now in every region of the world and has the potential to affect anyone, of any age in any country.
According to the report Antibiotic resistance –when bacteria change so antibiotics no longer work in people who need them to treat infections – is now a major threat to the public health.
The report reveals that key tools to tackle antibiotic resistance such as basics systems to track and monitor the problem –show gaps or do not exist in many countries.
While some countries have taken important steps in addressing the problem, every country and individual needs to do more.
WHO report added people can help tackle resistance by using antibiotics only when prescribed by a doctor, completing the full prescription, even if they feel better.
“Health workers and pharmacists can help resistance by enhancing infection prevention and control as well as policy makers help by fostering innovation and research and development of new tools.
“Policy makers also promoting cooperation and information sharing among stakeholders”, said the report.
The WHO report which also includes information on resistance to medicines for treating other infections such as HIV, Malaria, Tuberculosis and Influenza provides the most comprehensive picture of drug resistance to date, incorporating data from 114 countries.
Meanwhile, strengthing global AMR surveillance is critical as it is the basis for informing global strategies, monitoring the effectiveness of public health interventions and detecting new trends and threats.
WHO, along with partners across many sectors moves ahead in developing a global action plan to mitigate AMR, this report will serve as a baseline to measure future progress.
