A situational analysis of antibiotic prescription, dispensing practices and resistance pattern in Nepal: Are we losing the battle?

Hemank K.C. 1 *, Rashmi Shrestha 2, Suraj Vaish 1, Earnest Budhathoki 3, Anisha Bhusal 3, Ranjit Kumar Mahato 4 and Sanjeev Gurung 1

1 Valley College of Technical Sciences, Purvanchal University, Kathmandu, Nepal.
2 Kathmandu Multiple College, Purvanchal University, Kathmandu, Nepal.
3 HOPE International College, Purvanchal University, Kathmandu, Nepal.
4 Om Health Campus, Purvanchal University, Kathmandu, Nepal.
 
Review Article
Magna Scientia Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 10(02), 197–212
Article DOI: 10.30574/msarr.2024.10.2.0060
Publication history: 
Received on 03 March 2024; revised on 15 April 2024; accepted on 18 April 2024
 
Abstract: 
Background: Antibiotics are widely utilized to treat infections and provide preventative and therapeutic benefits in animal and human healthcare. However, because of the emergence and spread of resistance mechanisms, which cause bacteria to become less susceptible to antibiotics and other treatments and less effective, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has grown to be one of the most significant worldwide public health concerns. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Nepal have a high rate of infectious illnesses and antibiotic resistance, which can lead to both human and financial losses.
Methods: The information for the scenario analysis was acquired through a review of published and grey literature, as well as interviews with important stakeholders from all sectors.
Conclusion: Besides knowing all the challenges of antibiotic resistance, the programs assuring towards AMR is conducted in Nepal in very infrequent way. The antibiotic use should be optimize by giving various personalized treatment approaches and accurate diagnosis which plays vital roles in minimizing unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. We can organize different awareness programs to reduce antibiotic resistance that may enhance the proper use of antibiotic with proper dose and prescription in accordance health care professionals. Interpreting all the problems, government should give more priority to antibiotic resistance and should be able to minimize the problems. If antibiotic resistance is not taken in a very serious way by all the healthcare workers like doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab technicians, etc. then the battle we are fighting leads to be defeated and problem will never end.
 
Keywords: 
Antibiotics; Antibiotic prescription; Antibiotic dispensing; Antibiotic resistance; Nepal; Situational analysis.
 
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