Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) led by Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan has warned the public and healthcare providers against misuse of antibiotics.
“Misuse of antibiotics is responsible for alarming levels ofantibiotic resistance in Kashmir,” said DAK (N) president Dr Nisar ul Hassan ina communiqué.
“More than 70 percent of antibiotics prescribed are eithergiven unnecessarily or used improperly,” he said.
He said antibiotics are prescribed for viral infectionsagainst which they have no effect. “Yougo to a doctor with cold or flu; you will walk away with a prescription forantibiotics,” he said.
“Every time you have fever, you are given an antibiotic.Every fever is not because of infection and does not require an antibiotic.Antibiotics find their way in prescriptions for viral diarrheas, sore throats,ear and sinus discharges,” he added.
Dr Nisar said the misuse has assumed serious proportions dueto widespread over the counter sale of antibiotics. “Chemist shops give antibiotics foreverything from malaise, fatigue, body aches to headache. Farmers are usingantibiotics routinely to promote growth and prevent disease in animals that areotherwise healthy,” he added.