The use of antibiotics is rising alarmingly in Bangladesh. With the growing number of patients in the capital, the expansion of specialised medical centres, and easier access to healthcare, antibiotic consumption has increased significantly. However, this trend is not solely driven by medical need. A lack of awareness, along with patients' reluctance to undergo proper diagnostic tests, is contributing to their indiscriminate use.
More worrying is the declining effectiveness of these life-saving drugs. A recent study by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) revealed that antibiotics are failing in 41 per cent of patients in intensive care units (ICUs). This signals a looming public health crisis. Irrational and excessive use of antibiotics is accelerating antimicrobial resistance, making once-treatable infections harder to cure.
A large number of people still purchase antibiotics from pharmacies without consulting qualified MBBS doctors. Many seek quick relief, while some pharmacy sellers prioritise profit over responsibility, dispensing these medicines without proper prescriptions. Such practices must be addressed without delay.
To safeguard public health, immediate regulatory and awareness measures are essential. A comprehensive national antibiotic use policy should be formulated and enforced. Public awareness campaigns must educate people about the risks of misuse. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and public health workers must work collectively to ensure rational prescribing and usage. Seminars and workshops under expert supervision can further strengthen responsible practices.
Without decisive action today, the effectiveness of antibiotics tomorrow may no longer be guaranteed.
Shah Muntacher Hossain Mihan
MSS (Thesis) Student
Department of Social Work
Noakhali Science and Technology University