Context:
- An 18-year-old patient with T-cell leukemia battled an aggressive form of leukemia and an extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.
- Limited treatment options due to resistance led to a rapid deterioration in the patient’s condition.
- The patient showed remarkable improvement after receiving the antibiotic cefepime/zidebactam, developed by Indian researchers.
What is Antibiotic Resistance?
- Antibiotic resistance refers to the ability of bacteria or other microbes to withstand the effects of antibiotics, rendering them ineffective in treating infections.
- For example, extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is highly resistant to multiple antibiotics.
Important Antibiotics:
| Antibiotic |
Cefepime/zidebactam |
Cefiderocol |
| Development |
Developed by Indian researchers |
Developed by a Japanese company |
| How does it work? |
It combines two active components to combat drug-resistant gram-negative pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. |
It has demonstrated excellent efficacy against drug-resistant infections. |
| Importance |
Promising results in treating infections with limited treatment options due to antibiotic resistance |
Provides a new option for treating infections that do not respond to conventional antibiotics. |
Suggestions for Action:
- Grant EUA to New Antibiotics: Grant Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for antibiotics currently in phase 3 trials or licensed from other countries.
- Recognize the Potential: Recognize the potential of cefepime/zidebactam and cefiderocol. and expedite their EUA to provide timely access to effective treatments.
- Ensure Responsible Use: Ensure responsible and appropriate utilization of these antibiotics through collective decisions by experienced doctors and infectious diseases experts.
- Strengthen the Arsenal: Strengthen the arsenal against drug-resistant infections by including these antibiotics in the EUA list.
- Emphasize the Need for Research: Emphasize the need for continued research and development of powerful antibiotics to combat superbugs and address the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotic Resistance: The Way Forward
- Invest in Research: Increased research is necessary to develop new antibiotics and combat antibiotic resistance.
- Promote Responsible Use: Effective antibiotics must be used responsibly to avoid overuse and prevent the development of resistance.
- Collaborate Across Disciplines: Collaboration between physicians, researchers, and policymakers is crucial for effective antibiotic stewardship.
Measures to Address Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in India:
- National Programme on AMR Containment (2012): This program strengthens the AMR surveillance network by establishing labs in State Medical Colleges to monitor and address antimicrobial resistance.
- National Action Plan on AMR (2017): This plan takes a One Health approach, involving various ministries and departments to tackle antimicrobial resistance collectively.
- AMR Surveillance and Research Network (AMRSN) (2013): This network collects data to identify trends and patterns of drug-resistant infections in India, aiding in evidence-based decision-making.
- Antibiotic Stewardship Program (AMSP): Implemented as a pilot project across India, this program aims to control the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in hospital wards and intensive care units.
- Ban on Inappropriate Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs): The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has prohibited 40 fixed-dose combinations that were found to be inappropriate, promoting the responsible use of medications.
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5 Jul 2023
