The increase in the prevalence of microorganisms resistant to antimicrobials, like superbugs, endangers the lives of humans and animals. One of the biggest threats to global health today, the problem is directly associated with the excessive and incorrect use of medicines, including antibiotics, antifungals and antiparasiticsand the disposal of drug residues in the environment.
A group of global leaders on the subject asked, this Wednesday (2), that countries reduce the amount of antimicrobial waste that ends up in the environment. Created in 2020, the core includes heads of state, government ministers, and leaders from the private sector and civil society.
Specialists highlight the need for further studies and the implementation of measures for the safe disposal of waste from human and animal health systems, food and industry.
The planet’s most pressing environmental challenges are highlighted at the United Nations (UN) Environment Assembly, which takes place in Nairobi, Kenya, from February 28 to March 2.
Antimicrobial waste pollutes the environment
Antimicrobials administered to humans, animals and plants come into contact with the environment and water sources through wastewater, garbage, runoff and sewage.
As a result, medicines come into contact with microorganisms present in nature. When exposed to the substances, part of them acquire resistance mechanisms – which means that, when they are exposed again to the antimicrobial, they can remain alive, amplifying the resistance process.
The researchers argue that reducing the amount of antimicrobial pollution in the environment is crucial to maintaining the effectiveness of available drugs to treat infections.
In the appeal, global leaders call for improved measures for the management and disposal of waste containing antimicrobials and disposal from manufacturing sites, farms, hospitals and other sources. In addition, countries are called upon to develop and implement regulations and standards to better monitor and control the distribution and release of antimicrobials.
In Brazil, for example, the sale of antibiotics in pharmacies and drugstores depends on the presentation of a special control prescription.
The group also lists actions such as the development of national standards for the control of pollution by antimicrobials, strengthening monitoring of compliance with laws and policies to reduce the use of drugs, and the implementation of standards to treat and manage waste from livestock and agriculture.
Global health risks
The research group warns that failure to act will have serious consequences for human, animal, plant and environmental health.
Antimicrobial drugs are used widely in human and veterinary medicine throughout the world. They are used to treat and prevent disease in humans and animals, and sometimes to promote the growth of healthy animals. Antimicrobial pesticides are also used in agriculture to treat and prevent plant diseases.
This overuse and misuse of antimicrobials leads to an increase in drug resistance, making infections more difficult to treat.
The researcher at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Ana Paula Assef, says that resistance raises the costs of treatments, prolongs the stay of patients in hospitals and increases mortality rates.
“With the depletion of therapeutic actions, infections that today are known to have a simple treatment, may, in the future, cause greater damage to the body, as we will have fewer resources to fight them”, he said.
Disease-causing drug-resistant microorganisms can be transmitted between humans, animals, plants and food and in the environment. The climate crisis may also be contributing to the rise of antimicrobial resistance.
According to the research group, the Drug-resistant infections contribute to nearly 5 million deaths every year. Experts estimate that without effective action, the world could reach a tipping point where the antimicrobials needed for treatment will no longer be effective.
According to the group’s co-chair, Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, the impacts could reach health systems, economies and food security at global levels.
“The connections between antimicrobial resistance, environmental health and the climate crisis are becoming increasingly strong,” Mia said in a statement. “We must act now to protect the environment and people everywhere from the harmful effects of antimicrobial pollution,” she added.
Source: CNN Brasil
