President Alvi of Pakistan calls for massive changes in antibiotic drug use

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The President reiterated his support for the Fleming Fund’s activities in Pakistan during a meeting with the British High Commissioner for Pakistan, Dr Christian Turner.

The President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi, has called for massive changes in antibiotic drug use in humans, animals, and the environment, saying the unnecessary use of antibiotics poses a serious health challenge for the whole society.

The President expressed his views following a meeting with the British High Commission to review the UK/Pakistan Fleming Fund partnership on drug resistance. The President informed the delegation that representatives from the central and provincial government were committed to tackling these issues within the country.

Data from the Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership suggest that in Pakistan there are an unnecessary number of registered antimicrobial products, a widespread practice of self-medication and excessive prescription of antibiotics by medical practitioners – all of which contribute to drug resistance.

The Fleming Fund is investing over £9 million in Pakistan to tackle resistance by strengthening systems and supporting public health laboratories in the country. Since 2019, key achievements have included:

• 241 people trained on drug resistance, biosafety and biosecurity during country Grant 1
• Refurbishment of National Institute of Health Laboratory, National Veterinary Laboratory and National Reference Laboratory for Poultry Diseases
• Improved laboratory quality management systems
• Strengthened collaboration between human, animal and environmental health agencies

Drug Resistance, also known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), is a growing global health threat and occurs when bacteria survive exposure to antibiotics that would normally kill them. Researchers estimate drug resistance could claim up to 10 million lives a year and cost £85 trillion by 2050.

The Fleming Fund, managed by the UK Department of Health and Social Care in partnership with Mott MacDonald, the Fleming Fund Grant Management Agent, aims to tackle drug resistance by issues by investing in surveillance of drug resistance and drug use. In Pakistan, international development company DAI is acting as the lead grant delivering the Pakistan Country Grant, which is focused on refurbishing laboratories and strengthening AMR collaboration.