Stop sale of antibiotics without prescription

Antibiotics are a type of life-saving medicine. However, if used incorrectly or indiscriminately, antibiotics can also cause severe harm to the body. The misuse of antibiotics is most prevalent in the underdeveloped countries of the world. And Bangladesh ranks at the top of this list. This is because many people in Bangladesh, especially those with low income, often purchase and consume antibiotics from pharmacies or local markets without consulting a doctor. They have no idea that this leads to their bodies becoming resistant to antibiotics.

At the same time, they are unaware that in the future, their illnesses may no longer be cured by any medicine. Research has shown that almost all emergency medicines and widely used antibiotics in the country have lost more than 50 percent of their effectiveness. This research report is undoubtedly a matter of deep concern for the country.

Statistics show that every year, 700,000 people die worldwide due to antimicrobial resistance alone. As a result, almost every country in the world is suffering to some extent. The WHO estimates that due to increasing antimicrobial resistance, global healthcare costs will rise by an additional $1.2 trillion by 2050.

According to reports published in the media, many medicine sellers in rural markets and even in various urban areas are selling all kinds of medicines, including antibiotics from different companies. And there is a huge crowd of people trying to buy these medicines at low prices. It has been observed that these sellers often have no education in medical science or pharmacy. They also lack a medical or pharmaceutical sales licence. Yet they have been running their businesses year after year. And uneducated, semi-educated, and poor people regularly purchase and consume medicine from them. Since these medicines are available at relatively low prices, a section of the population considers these sellers quite acceptable. Moreover, whether in cities or villages, visiting pharmacies reveals how many people buy antibiotics without a prescription. As a result, the level of antibiotic resistance in people's bodies is increasing day by day.

The hopeful news is that the Bangladesh government is taking the issue of antibiotic resistance very seriously and has taken various steps to address it. Among these, a significant initiative was the introduction of the 'Model Pharmacy' in 2016 within the drug sales policy, where the sale of antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription is completely prohibited. But the purpose for which the model pharmacy was established has not been achieved in practice due to a lack of oversight, and neither sellers nor buyers follow the rules. Furthermore, no realistic policy regarding antibiotic usage has yet been formulated in the country. Experts believe that due to antibiotic misuse, children and patients admitted to ICU wards are at severe risk.

In such a situation, the use of antibiotics in the country, along with its related problems and crises, must be identified, and proper usage must be ensured. Therefore, if necessary, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare should formulate a realistic policy on antibiotic use and ensure its effective implementation. At the same time, a strong and sustainable system involving healthcare workers must be put in place to discourage the excessive use of antibiotics.