THIS refers to the report ‘Antibiotic resistance a threat to public health’ (March 24). While we hear and read about this problem internationally, I feel stakeholders in the health sector in Pakistan have not yet taken any steps to highlight this issue.

I have noticed on many occasions at a medical store people coming and asking salesperson to recommend a medicine for throat or chest infection. The salesperson gladly gives him a bottle/packet of antibiotic and the person goes happily.

Most of our general physicians also very frequently prescribe antibiotics without bothering to diagnose whether the infection is bacterial or viral.

The Pakistan Medical Association and the pharmaceutical companies should join together to hold seminars to make medical practitioners aware of this problem and to suggest measures to ensure good health of the public.

Akber D.Vazir

Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2015

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