Khalid Mahmood, Managing Director & CEO of Getz Pharma, addressed the National Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Summit, highlighting the critical issue of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Pakistan.

The Growing Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is now the third leading cause of death in Pakistan, responsible for approximately 300,000 deaths annually. Globally, AMR contributes to 700,000 deaths each year, according to health experts. Pakistan’s overconsumption of antibiotics has placed it as the third-largest consumer of antibiotics worldwide, after China and India. In 2023 alone, antibiotics worth Rs. 126 billion were consumed in the country. Health officials have emphasized the need for people to avoid purchasing or using antibiotics without the guidance of trained healthcare professionals.

Key Highlights from the AMS Summit

The AMS Summit 2024 was a significant event organized by Getz Pharma in collaboration with the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (MoNHSRC), Health Services Academy (HSA), and the National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad. The summit was attended by over 1,400 healthcare professionals, including health secretaries, senior physicians, policymakers, and representatives from 13 medical societies.

Prof. Javed Akram, President of the Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine (PSIM), stressed that AMR is one of the most critical challenges Pakistan faces today, alongside population growth and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). He explained that AMR is leading to infections that are increasingly difficult to treat, citing the rise of Extremely Drug-Resistant (XDR) typhoid, Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) TB, and other infections. He urged the public to consider antibiotics as highly potent medicines, warning against their misuse.

Dr. Afreenish Amir, Senior Microbiologist at NIH, pointed out that AMR is a global issue, exacerbated by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics. She noted that AMR is not only an issue in human medicine but also in the livestock sector, which accounts for 80% of AMR. Experts at the summit called for greater awareness about the irrational use of antibiotics in humans, livestock, and the poultry sectors.

Keynote Addresses and Expert Insights

Prof. Zulfiqar Bhutta, a renowned pediatrician and public health expert, gave a keynote address urging the vaccination of children against typhoid. He highlighted Pakistan’s unique position as the only country where the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) is being administered to children to protect them from drug-resistant waterborne diseases.

Dr. Wajiha Javed, Associate Director of Public Health at Getz Pharma, emphasized the importance of tackling the over-the-counter availability of antibiotics, self-medication, and substandard antibiotics. She also announced that Getz Pharma is collaborating with the NIH and government agencies to develop a national action plan to combat AMR.

Partnerships and Collaborations

A key outcome of the summit was the signing of a declaration between the Health Services Academy (HSA), NIH Islamabad, and Getz Pharma to implement Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) in Pakistan. Additionally, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with 13 medical societies to promote AMS practices nationwide.

National AMS Summit Abstract Poster Awards

The summit also recognized contributions from across Pakistan through the AMS Abstract Poster Awards. A total of 216 abstracts were submitted, and three winners were selected:

1.    1st Position: Rational Use of Antibiotics in an Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Study of the Impact on Clinical Outcomes and Mortality Rate
Institute: Salim Habib University

2.    2nd Position: WHO Point Prevalence Survey to Describe the Use of Antimicrobials at a Tertiary Care Center in Pakistan: A Situation Analysis for Establishing an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program
Institute: Sind Infectious Diseases Hospital and Research Center

3.    3rd Position: Behavioral Drivers of AMR in Economically Challenged Country: Insights from a Public KAP Survey
Institute: Dow University of Health Sciences

The National Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Summit 2024 was a critical event for addressing the growing issue of AMR in Pakistan. By bringing together key stakeholders in healthcare, the summit underscored the importance of rational antibiotic use, early intervention, and the development of a national action plan. Through continued collaboration and awareness, Pakistan aims to combat AMR and protect the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations.