DOH: Problem of antimicrobial resistance increasing in Philippines

The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday expressed concern over Filipinos' increasing resistance to antibiotics due to the widespread practice of self-medication.

At a news conference, DOH officer in charge Ma. Rosario Vergeire said the country needed a whole of society approach to address the issue which may render antimicrobials ineffective in treating diseases.

“Right now, the problem of antimicrobial resistance is increasing in the country. Ang pinaka kritikal dito, dadating tayo sa punto na ito pong mga ordinary at saka 'yung mga ginagamit natin na mga na gamot laban sa mga infection ay baka hindi na gagana sa ibang sakit ng Pilipino, because resistant na tayo because we are misusing and overusing these antimicrobials,” Vergeire said.

“Kailangan talaga it’s a one government approach and a whole of society approach. Hindi lang mga Doctor, hindi lang kagawaran ng kalugusuan ang aakto para dito, but kailangan yung awareness sa community para atin pong ma-control ang pag-gamit ng gamot na hindi naman po appropriate,” she added.

Vergeire said antimicrobial resistance had been a long-standing problem in the health sector.

“Alam natin dito sa Pilipinas, ang Pilipino mahilig mag-doctor. So halimbawa, imbes na pupunta sila sa mga kilinika, magpapa-konsulta sa Doktor, sila na po ang nagp-prescribe sa kanilang mga sarili and pupunta sila sa ating mga botika. Bibili sila ng gamot at iinom sila without the guidance of our doctors,” Vegeire said.

“If you note of, yung ating multi-drug resistant. Tuberculosis, thats the best example for antimicrobial resistance dahil ito pong multi-drug resistant TB, ito po yung mga pasyente na meron silang tuberculosis, pero yung mga usual drugs na ginagamot natin para sa tuberculosis, hindi na nagiging epektibo sakanila kasi resistant na sila doon sa ibang mga gamot na iniinom against TB,” she added.

Vergeire said the DOH had been communicating with various government agencies to strengthen their advocacy and regulate antimicrobials.

She also mentioned that the government had already passed regulations supporting antimicrobial resistance in the past years. These include the requirement of prescriptions for antibiotics purchases to prevent misuse. —NB, GMA Integrated News