Are antibiotics being misused in BiH: ALMBiH calls for rational and proper use

Two days ago, the European Antibiotic Awareness Day was marked, with the aim of raising awareness about the danger of developing antimicrobial resistance and the importance of their rational use, reports the Patria news agency.

Discussions about the use of antibiotics in BiH are ongoing, and as one doctor, an employee of the Health Centers of the Sarajevo Canton (name known to the editorial board), confirmed to Patria, a particular misuse of antibiotics occurs among children.

- Our children take a lot of antibiotics, both when they need them and when they don't. I fear things may get out of control. Unfortunately, there are doctors who increasingly prescribe antibiotics even for viral infections, which is a catastrophe – says this doctor.

Furthermore, the Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices states that antibiotics are indicated for the treatment of bacterial infections, but not viral ones.

- It is extremely important to adhere to the prescribed indications and other instructions on how to use the medicine as stated in the package leaflet. Patient information leaflets are included in every medicine package, and the basic data from the summaries of product characteristics (indications and dosage) of medicines approved in Bosnia and Herzegovina are available in the Register of Medicinal Products, which ALMBiH publishes annually. ALMBiH is in the process of establishing a new information system that will make these documents publicly available – stated the Agency.

The Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ALMBiH) monitors antibiotic consumption in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is involved in the European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption.

- ALMBiH calls for the rational and proper use of antibiotics. Proper use of antimicrobial drugs will preserve their activity, enhance clinical efficacy, and reduce the potential for the development of resistance, which will ultimately lead to a reduction in morbidity and mortality due to infections caused by resistant bacteria.

We call on all healthcare workers and patients to prescribe, dispense, and use antibiotics responsibly and conscientiously: antibiotics are intended for the treatment of bacterial infections, not viral ones. Antibiotics do not treat influenza, the common cold, or every sore throat. Antibiotics do not lower body temperature. Antibiotics should only be taken on a doctor's recommendation, at equal time intervals, and the entire dose should be taken – emphasized the Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices in BiH.