India is facing a silent epidemic, one far more insidious than many realise: antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In simple terms, our antibiotics are losing their power. Overuse and misuse have created “resistant” bacteria that shrug off even our strongest medicines. The numbers are staggering in 2019, AMR alone is killing more people than cancer and road traffic accidents combined together. That’s a wake-up call we can’t ignore.
One of the most common and increasingly difficult to treat infections is the urinary tract infection (UTI). When this infection is accompanied by underlying risk factors such as kidney stones or diabetes, or the presence of a urinary catheter or pregnancy, we call it complicated UTIs (cUTIs). cUTIs caused by multi-drug-resistant bacteria are facing a serious challenge as multi-drug-resistant infections are difficult to treat and often deadly.
A new antibiotic Plazomicin offers a much-needed weapon in our fight against MDR cUTI. Plazomicin has been studied in MDR cUTI patients and has shown its effectiveness for the treatment of MDR cUTI. Unlike some older antibiotics, it only needs to be administered once a day, making it easier for patients.
Plazomicin is a useful tool, but its effectiveness depends on how we use it. We need to be smart about antibiotic use, prescribing them only when truly necessary. We also need to focus on preventing infections in the first place through better hygiene and sanitation practices. Effectively tackling AMR and reducing its incidence demands a comprehensive strategy, requiring a unified and unwavering commitment from all stakeholders.
