A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights a concerning trend – the widespread overuse of antibiotics in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. This practice, while seemingly intended to offer additional protection, has potentially severe consequences.
Unnecessary Antibiotics: Risks Outweigh Benefits
The study reveals that despite only 8% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients requiring antibiotics for bacterial co-infections, a staggering 75% received them – often as a precautionary measure. This overuse was particularly prevalent in the Eastern Mediterranean and African regions, with rates reaching as high as 83%.
The misuse of antibiotics carries significant risks. Not only does it offer no benefit in viral infections like COVID-19, but it also contributes to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR occurs when bacteria develop the ability to resist the drugs designed to kill them, making infections harder to treat.
Data Highlights Regional Disparities and Focus on High-Risk Drugs
The WHO study, based on data from over 450,000 patients in 65 countries, also identified regional disparities in antibiotic use. Patients with severe or critical COVID-19 globally received antibiotics at an alarming rate of 81%, while those with mild or moderate cases showed variation, with the highest use (79%) observed in the African Region.
Doctors worldwide prescribed “Watch” category antibiotics – those with a higher potential for resistance development – most frequently within the WHO’s AWaRe classification system, a finding of even more concern.
Urgent Call for Action: Stewardship and New Guidelines
The WHO emphasizes the need for a more rational approach to antibiotic use. Dr. Silvia Bertagnolio, WHO Unit Head, stresses that antibiotics are essential when truly needed, but their unnecessary use poses risks to both individual patients and entire populations.
The organization is committed to tackling this issue. A systematic review of available evidence will inform the development of new WHO recommendations on antibiotic use for COVID-19 patients, to be incorporated into the clinical management guidelines.
These findings highlight the urgency for improved global antibiotic prescribing practices. As Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General, emphasizes, this is particularly crucial ahead of the upcoming UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AMR in September 2024. This international gathering aims to unite global leaders in a collaborative effort to combat AMR across various sectors, advocating for stronger political leadership, increased funding, and concrete actions to slow the emergence and spread of this growing threat.