KARACHI, March 29: As antibiotics are readily available over the counter, Pakistani microbiologists and physicians should take extra care in prescribing such medicines, said a British expert on Saturday.
Delivering a plenary lecture at the three-day First International Congress on Infectious Diseases, being held at Liaquat National Hospital under the auspices of Infectious Diseases Society of Pakistan, Dr Sarah Maxwell of the Stepping Hill Hospital in the UK said careless use of antibiotics was dangerous.
“Abuse them and lose them,” she said. The problem of misuse of antibiotics was not unique in the developing countries of the world, she said.
In her hospital, up to 20 per cent of the total budget meant for medicines is set aside every year for antibiotics. “This is too high a percentage.”
Giving examples, Dr Maxwell pointed out that due to injudicious use, Ampicillin was no longer very effective. “Ampicillin is out as a first line of defence.” Those that are still good should be used judiciously.
She was of the view that Pakistani physicians and microbiologists should determine the level of resistance the diseases of their concern had developed. “You should formulate guidelines for rational use of antibiotics and also devise ways to convince those colleagues who didn’t go through the literature regularly.”
Dr Maxwell said physicians should constantly monitor the successes and failures of their systems.
History showed that major advances in healthcare were made possible by the steps taken under the public health systems, she said. “Better sanitation facilities and universal immunization initiatives are just some of the very important steps which brought about major improvements on the health scene.”
Referring to a short study undertaken at her hospital, Dr Maxwell said disinfection of hands was extremely important for microbiologists. “In our study, we found that if hands are not washed properly, one in five pairs of hands could get infected.”
She was of the opinion that wearing of gloves was not sufficient in itself. “In fact use of gloves may even be dangerous if they are used wrongly that is.”
In his presentation, Prof J. E. Banatwala said that in 1991, the World Health Organization had advised all countries to take steps to administer hepatitis B vaccines universally. “Today 154 countries have gone for universal immunization in infancy.”
The professor said Pakistan had followed the WHO’s advice and taken steps to administer hepatitis vaccines to children. “The first shot of this vaccine should be given early on.”
Prof Banatwala said the incubation period for hepatitis B ranged from six weeks to six months. “So we have sufficient time to administer the vaccine.”
There are about 450 million carriers of hepatitis B worldwide. There is no need to administer a booster to increase the effects of hepatitis shots, said the professor.
“No need for a booster. Save the money to use elsewhere.”
After the session, Dr Naseem Salahuddin told Dawn that every child should be given a shot of hepatitis B vaccine early on in his or her life. “Two more shots should be given but there is no need for an additional booster shot.”
