A.Vogel: Latest News > Antibiotic resistance and antibiotic prescriptions on the rise in Canada

Antibiotic resistance and antibiotic prescriptions on the rise in Canada

Recent data indicate that while some rates of antibiotic resistance are stabilizing in Canada, others continue to rise. Although Canada remains a world leader in the fight against antibiotic resistance - a serious global public health threat - the rate of antibiotic prescriptions is increasing.

As well, a new consumer survey indicates that Canadians are still confused about the appropriate use of antibiotics.

Bacteria can grow resistant to antibiotics because of the overuse or inappropriate use of these medicines, resulting in what is commonly known as antibiotic resistance.
According to Dr. Donald Low, microbiologist-in-chief at Mount Sinai Hospital, rates for penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (also called Strep pneumo) have stabilized over the past five years, increasing only marginally from 14.8 per cent in 2004 to 15.0 per cent in 2005.

However rates of resistance to macrolides, another class of antibiotics commonly used to treat respiratory infections in children and adults, have increased steadily since 1999. Strep pneumo resistance to a commonly-prescribed macrolide called erythromycin rose to 19.3 percent in 2005, up from 18 percent in 2004. In 1999, macrolide resistance in Canada was less than 10 percent.
Strep pneumo is the leading infectious cause of disease and death worldwide and the most common bacterial cause of community-acquired infections such as bronchitis, sinusitis and pneumonia. It is also responsible for most cases of middle ear infections and bacterial meningitis in children. Each year in Canada, Strep pneumo accounts for 12,500 cases of pneumonia requiring hospitalization.

Antibiotic Prescriptions on the Rise
In 2005, the penicillin class showed a slight increase in the rate of prescriptions. This represents a departure from the steady downward trend between 1994 and 2004, when the prescription rate was cut almost in half.

In 1997, Health Canada set a five-year target to reduce community antibiotic prescriptions by 25 percent. To date, community antibiotic prescriptions have decreased by only 9 percent. There is concern about the increase in the overall rate of antibiotic prescriptions from 61.9 prescriptions per 100 Canadians in 2004 to 63.5 in 2005, an increase of almost 3 percent.
Canadians are fortunate to have access to antibiotics, but these powerful medicines will lose their effectiveness if they are not used wisely.

To prevent increased rates of antibiotic resistance, more Canadians need to actively practice preventative medicine and opt for natural remedies for cases of mild infections. This would help to reduce the number of antibiotic prescriptions and therefore the rate of antibiotic resistance. Many herbal remedies such as A.Vogel Antiviral Formula and Echinaforce are very effective against infections especially when administered at the onset of symptoms.