A recent study by the World Health Organization that also covered Albania considered the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, which creates Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) as one of the 10 main threats to human health.
A survey of 525 people in Albania reported that 51 percent of them had used antibiotics in the last year before the survey, a percentage above the average of the group of non-EU countries included in the study. Of the people who had used antibiotics, 15 percent had bought them at the pharmacy without a doctor's prescription, while 1 percent had taken antibiotics referring to previous prescriptions.
Of all respondents in 14 countries over 60% of participants were less than 40 years old. Forty percent of the participants claimed that they faced difficulties in paying the bill for the purchase of antibiotics and another 20% faced difficulties in paying the bills most of the time.
The most frequently reported reasons for antibiotic use were cold symptoms, sore throat, cough and flu-like symptoms. Urinary tract infections and pneumonia were rarer cases.
WHO estimated that the indiscriminate use of antibiotics is among the main global threats to humanity today.
Antibiotic resistance in the WHO European Region was associated with over half a million deaths in 2019, equivalent to the health burden of influenza, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
The estimated annual cost attributable to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics that create resistance to viruses in the European Union (EU) is €1.5 billion in healthcare costs and lost productivity, WHO estimates.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a natural phenomenon, however, its development and spread is accelerated by human behavior, including inappropriate use of antimicrobials across sectors and environments. Although multiresistant strains of pathogens are increasing in hospital settings, an overall reduction in antibiotic use in the community is needed, WHO advises.
Antimicrobials, including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics are drugs used to prevent and treat infectious diseases in humans, animals, and plants.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial drugs. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of spreading severe disease, disability and death.
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