Antibiotic abuse - a dangerous habit stemming from complacency.

Antibiotics are a crucial tool in treating bacterial infections. However, the increasing trend of people buying and using antibiotics without a doctor's prescription is leading to dangerous consequences such as antibiotic resistance, difficulties in treatment, and increased healthcare costs. This is an alarming issue that requires strict control over the sale of antibiotics without a prescription and a change in public awareness.

People can still easily buy antibiotics at pharmacies without a prescription.

According to regulations from the Ministry of Health , antibiotics are prescription drugs, to be used only when prescribed by a doctor and not allowed to be sold freely. However, in reality, people can still easily buy antibiotics, including potent or brand-name drugs, without a prescription. Many pharmacies are readily available to sell antibiotics upon customer request, with amoxicillin, azithromycin, and ciprofloxacin being the most commonly misused and easily obtained, primarily based on the patient's symptom description without a medical examination. This, coupled with competition among pharmacies, the desire to immediately meet customer needs, and insufficient oversight and enforcement by authorities, are the reasons why the sale of antibiotics without a prescription remains widespread. The misuse and improper use of antibiotics has become a common habit among many people. As soon as symptoms like coughing, fever, sore throat, or flu-like symptoms appear, many people immediately go to pharmacies, buy antibiotics on their own, and use them based on intuition. The đáng thing is, most of these symptoms are caused by viruses – a group of diseases for which antibiotics are completely ineffective.

Ms. Hoang Thi Huong, from Hac Thanh ward, shared: "Every time I had a fever, I would go to the pharmacy and buy a few antibiotic pills. I always felt better, so I thought I didn't need to go to a medical facility for examination. Only when I took a lot of antibiotics and the illness didn't go away, requiring hospitalization and high-dose antibiotic infusions, did I realize that I had been using the medication completely incorrectly."

The incorrect use of antibiotics, insufficient dosage, or inadequate treatment duration will not only fail to completely eradicate bacteria but also give them the opportunity to adapt and become resistant. In many hospitals in the province, it is no longer uncommon for patients to require stronger antibiotics at higher doses because they previously self-medicated, leading to antibiotic resistance.

Dr. Do Xuan Tien, Head of the Department of Tropical Diseases at Thanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital, said: "Many patients admitted for severe bacterial infections have a history of self-medicating with antibiotics. Using the wrong type, the wrong dosage, or stopping medication too early prevents bacteria from being completely eradicated, leading to antibiotic resistance. Some bacterial strains are now resistant to most common antibiotics, making treatment more difficult and costly."

Antibiotic resistance is warned by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the 10 biggest threats to global health. Vietnam is among the countries with a high rate of antibiotic resistance. The main reasons stem from people self-medicating, using insufficient doses, not following instructions, and some pharmacies still selling antibiotics without a prescription. A long-time pharmacy owner in Hac Thanh ward admitted: "Dozens of people come to ask to buy antibiotics every day. Although we know the regulations prohibit selling them without a prescription, many people say they have taken this medicine many times before, so this time they have a cold or sore throat and don't need to see a doctor. This is a common situation at many pharmacies in the province."

Buying and using antibiotics without a doctor's prescription can lead to many dangerous consequences.

The misuse of antibiotics not only causes antibiotic resistance but also leads to many dangerous side effects such as allergies, liver and kidney damage, digestive disorders, and even anaphylactic shock. In many cases, people mistakenly believe that antibiotics are a "cure-all," leading to their misuse at the wrong time and for the wrong condition, making the illness worse.

Dr. Do Xuan Tien analyzed: "Viral diseases such as seasonal flu, viral sore throat, viral fever... absolutely do not require antibiotics. Using medication in these cases does not cure the disease but also destroys beneficial bacteria, weakening the body further. Those who self-medicate with antibiotics will be the first to suffer the consequences, and in the long run, this will affect the entire community, creating significant pressure on the healthcare system as antibiotic resistance increases. To limit antibiotic abuse, the health sector continuously implements communication programs on safe drug use and controls the sale of drugs at private pharmacies. Many treatment facilities in the province are also strengthening microbiological testing to identify the causative agent before prescribing, limiting the use of unnecessary antibiotics."

According to experts, to use antibiotics safely and effectively, people should not buy and use antibiotics without a doctor's prescription. Use the correct medication, dosage, and duration as directed; do not stop taking the medication when you feel better; do not reuse old prescriptions, and do not share medication with others. Every citizen needs to raise awareness and use medication responsibly, avoiding complacency. In addition, it is necessary to strengthen disease prevention, maintain good personal hygiene, and get vaccinated to limit infections. When experiencing unusual symptoms such as high fever, persistent cough, shortness of breath, etc., seek medical attention early for accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.

Text and photos: Ha Phuong

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/lam-dung-thuoc-khang-sinh-thoi-quen-nguy-hiem-tu-su-chu-quan-271378.htm