2023-07-19 09:21:25
Antibiotic Resistance: Researchers Argue for Improved Clarity on Medicine Packaging
July 19, 2023
Antibiotics play a crucial role in fighting bacterial infections, but they are often misused, leading to the global problem of antibiotic resistance. Researchers from Radboud university medical center are calling for more attention to the appearance of medicines as a way to reduce misuse and combat antibiotic resistance.
Misuse of antibiotics is prevalent worldwide, particularly in less wealthy countries. People often take the wrong antibiotics for a specific bacterial infection or misuse them to treat inflammation or pain. This misuse contributes to antibiotic resistance, as bacteria adapt and render the antibiotics ineffective.
In a recent study by researchers Annelie Monnier and Heiman Wertheim, antibiotic use in three Asian and three African countries was analyzed. The study revealed widespread misuse of antibiotics, which could be attributed to the confusion caused by the names and appearances of different antibiotics.
For instance, in Vietnam, the literal translation of one of the words for antibiotics is “capsule.” In Mozambique and Ghana, the colors red and yellow are associated with a commonly used antibiotic, even though different antibiotics can be contained in capsules of the same color. Additionally, not all antibiotics are in capsule form; some are in tablet form.
To address this issue, Monnier and Wertheim propose the standardization of colors and symbols on pill packaging, along with the inclusion of logos and QR codes. In countries where information leaflets are scarce, QR codes could direct users to websites with detailed information about the medicine. Implementing these changes through stickers on medicine boxes would be faster and more feasible than altering the pills themselves.
The researchers believe that achieving these changes globally is not an insurmountable task. Comparing it to the success of global efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, they argue that similar progress can be made in tackling the silent pandemic of antibiotic resistance.
Currently, the researchers are engaged in discussions with regulators and drug manufacturers to push for these improvements. While it may be a slow process, the researchers believe that clarity is key to ensuring the correct use of medications and fighting antibiotic resistance.
The research findings were published in the Lancet Global Health under the title “Is this pill an antibiotic or a painkiller? Improving the identification of oral antibiotics for better use.”
Combatting antibiotic resistance requires a multi-faceted approach, and ensuring clarity in medication packaging is a crucial step towards reducing misuse and preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations.]
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