Antibiotic resistance is becoming a major threat to public health. A study by an international group of researchers analyses the consumption of antimicrobials in Kazakhstan and reports a positive trend.

Antibiotics have been available for medical use for almost a century. The improvements in their synthesis and purification, and the knowledge of the mechanism of action, have made a significant contribution to public healthcare — today bacterial infections usually do not pose a deadly threat to people. However, the development of new, better antimicrobials throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, and the availability of these drugs to most people in the world, have led to new problems. And the greatest issue is resistance to antibiotics — it happens because bacteria adapt to the drugs and evolve into new strains. Consequently, scientists have to develop new formulations to overcome this, which leads to a vicious circle. This is why sustainable use of antibiotics has become an important target supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO). A joint research project by Sechenov University and scientists from Kazakhstan has focused on the situation with antibiotic overconsumption in this Central Asian country in the period of 2011–2018. Their findings are reported in Antibiotics.

The authors analysed the defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID). This parameter reflects the actual drug consumption. The study has revealed that systemic use of antimicrobials at the inpatient level in Kazakhstan steadily declined from 12.7 DID in 2011 to 2.3 DID in 2018. This tendency is true for both oral and parenteral routes of administration.

Of the drugs that remain widely prescribed, the authors note 2 pharmacological groups, “J01D Other beta-lactam antibacterials” and “J01M Quinolone antibacterials”, according to the WHO classification. The use of cephalosporin and fluoroquinolone did not show considerable changes over the analysed period. On the other hand, the decrease in the consumption of “J01C Beta-lactam antibacterials, penicillins” amounted to 76%. The study also shows that old antibiotics of the first generation (for example, cefazolin) are now used less frequently than newer formulations.

Since the total consumption of antibiotics in Kazakhstan has decreased by almost 5 times over the last decade, it is evident that these drugs are being prescribed more carefully and only when the patient definitely needs them. It is a positive trend that can help prevent antibiotic resistance in the population. It has been part of Kazakhstan’s policy to improve its healthcare system, and the country has been demonstrating its commitment to the sustainable use of antimicrobials through regular participation in the “World Antibiotic Awareness Week” initiated by the WHO.

Photo credit: Jerzy Górecki, Pixabay 4160209