CHR News Desk | New Delhi
New evidence from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows the extensive overuse of antibiotics during COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, which may have exacerbated “silent” spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
During the global pandemic, hospitalised COVID-19 patients received antibiotics at an alarming rate, despite most not needing them, according to a recent alert from the UN World Health Organization (WHO). This extensive overuse, aimed at treating bacterial infections, failed to improve clinical outcomes and instead posed a serious threat of antimicrobial resistance, commonly known as “superbugs.”
While only 8% of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 had bacterial co-infections requiring antibiotics, three out of four or some 75% of patients have been treated with antibiotics ‘just in case’ they help. Antibiotic use ranged from 33% for patients in the Western Pacific Region, to 83% in the Eastern Mediterranean and the African Regions. Between 2020 and 2022, prescriptions decreased over time in Europe and the Americas, while they increased in Africa.
Dr. Margaret Harris, spokesperson for WHO, emphasised that at no point did the agency recommend antibiotic use for treating COVID-19, as the disease is caused by a virus, not bacteria.
Data from the UN health agency revealed significant regional disparities in antibiotic use among COVID-19 patients. While antibiotic prescriptions ranged from 33 per cent in the Western Pacific region to 83 per cent in the Eastern Mediterranean and African regions, the latter saw an increase in prescriptions between 2020 and 2022.
Critically ill COVID-19 patients received antibiotics most frequently, with a global average of 81 per cent. However, the report highlighted that antibiotic use did not lead to improved clinical outcomes for COVID-19 patients. Instead, it raised concerns about the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance, particularly as the most commonly prescribed antibiotics had a higher potential for resistance.
Dr. Silvia Bertagnolio, WHO unit head for surveillance, underscored the importance of rational antibiotic use to minimise unnecessary risks and negative consequences for patients and populations. The findings were based on data from the WHO Global Clinical Platform for COVID-19, which analysed anonymous clinical data from 450,000 patients across 65 countries from January 2020 to March 2023.
Antimicrobial resistance poses a grave threat to public health, rendering medicines ineffective against infections caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. The emergence of “superbugs” heightens the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death, as infections become harder to treat.
As the global community grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing the overuse of antibiotics is imperative to safeguard public health and mitigate the risk of antimicrobial resistance. It necessitates concerted efforts to promote rational antibiotic use and preserve the effectiveness of these vital medications in combating infectious diseases.
