Antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobials, encompassing antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics, are vital for preventing and treating infectious diseases in humans, animals, and plants. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) arises when pathogens no longer respond to these medicines, posing a global threat. Human activity, particularly the misuse of antimicrobials, accelerates AMR, impacting health systems, economies, and vulnerable populations. The rise in antibiotic resistance is alarming, with significant rates reported in bacterial pathogens like E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, reducing the effectiveness of common antibiotics. Additionally, drug resistance extends to fungi, HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases, necessitating a coordinated global response through a One Health approach and the implementation of the Global Action Plan (GAP) on AMR. The World AMR Awareness Week, AMR national action plans, and strategic initiatives such as antimicrobial stewardship and the AWaRe classification are crucial components in addressing this global health challenge. To read the full article, click here. To read more about drugs, click here.