WHO warns of serious consequences from antibiotic abuse

On November 23, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the overuse of antibiotics is reducing the effectiveness of drugs and creating drug-resistant bacteria, which could cause 10 million deaths per year worldwide by 2050.

WHO European Region conducted research in 14 countries, mainly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and found that antibiotics were prescribed for illnesses such as colds (24%), flu-like symptoms (16%), sore throats (21%) and coughs (18%).

Additionally, in all 14 countries, more than 30% of the approximately 8,200 people surveyed said they had used antibiotics without a prescription.

In some countries, more than 40% of antibiotics are used without a doctor's recommendation.

According to WHO, although antibiotic resistance is a natural phenomenon, the development and spread of superbugs is accelerating due to the overuse of antibiotics, making the treatment of infections more difficult.

WHO warns that without immediate intervention, antibiotic resistance could lead to 10 million deaths a year globally by 2050.

WHO believes that people may not fully understand antibiotics, which could lead to misuse. The study suggests that public awareness of antibiotics needs to be raised.

WHO has identified antibiotic resistance as one of the 10 biggest threats to global health. Therefore, the theme of World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW), which takes place from November 18-24 in Harare, Zimbabwe, is “Stopping Antibiotic Resistance Together,” emphasizing the need for multisectoral interventions to protect the effectiveness of antibiotics.