WMA Supports Report On Antibiotic Resistance

The World Medical Association welcomed the report of the Lords Science and Technology Committee on resistance to antibiotics.

The WMA has warned that the global increase in resistance to antimicrobial drugs has created “a public health problem of potentially crisis proportions”.

This problem has been exacerbated by substantial misuse and overuse of antimicrobial agents, including inappropriate prescribing, poor compliance by patients and the availability of antibiotics without prescription in many developing countries.

The WMA has called for antimicrobial agents to be available only through prescription by licensed qualified health care and veterinary professionals. It is also supports more research and better education for doctors.