July 7: The number of people consuming antimicrobials has increased in Nepal, according to a recent study. The study conducted by the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) found that twenty-eight percent patients are using antimicrobials without doctors' prescription in the country.     
Releasing the study report on Thursday, NHRC shared that 70 percent people in Nepal were consuming strong antimicrobials.

Associate Professor of microbiology at Tribhuvan University, Dr Meghraj Banjara, who was involved in the study, shared this information at the programme.    

The antimicrobials are the medicines used to prevent and treat infections. These medicines include antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, and antiparasites.    
Overall, 180 antimicrobials have been divided into three groups. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has urged for minimum use of strong antimicrobials, its use is on the rise in Nepal. “Its use is excessive here,” Dr Banjara said.    
There is rampant misuse of antimicrobials in Nepal. Even the doctors are not prescribing it accurately, while people buy these without doctors' prescription. Dr Banjara further said even the doctors were prescribing antimicrobials without testing whether it functions or not.        
"The use of infection treating medicine is so common and excessive that they are no more effective," Dr Banjara said, adding that no new antimicrobials have been invented for 36 years. Such medicine must be used only as per the need not more than needed.    
According to the study, 28 percent people buy antimicrobials on their own- without doctors' prescription. Similarly, 22 percent do not meet the required dose.    
Some of the medicines used without doctors' reference are azithromycin, amoxicillin, cefixim, ciprofloxacin, and metronidazole.    
As per the WHO standard, only 20 to 26 percent of patients can be prescribed antimicrobials while 37.8 percent are using it in Nepal. -- RSS