In 2019, the estimate of deaths globally due to antimicrobial resistance was over 1.2 million, translating to over 3,400 deaths per day and 144 deaths per hour, signifying the extent of its impact on human life.

The figures account for 2 percent plus of human deaths in 2019, making antimicrobial resistance one of the deadliest global public health threats in modern-day history.

Data sources in 2023 consider antimicrobial resistance the 3rd deadliest killer of humans globally, closely following cardiovascular diseases.

Apart from death, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) causes morbidity, which affects the global GDP (Gross Domestic Product) when world citizens are unable to contribute to society economically when they are unwell.

Antimicrobial Resistance: Kenyan Data

The 2019 year figures state that over 8,000 people died due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with a further 37,000 plus deaths associated with it, making it deadlier than malaria and HIV/AIDS.

The Kenyan government in 2017 came up with a National Action Plan (NAP) in alignment with WHO’s (World Health Organization’s) Global Action Plan (GAP) that would run until 2022 to combat the rise of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), breaking the leadership up to county levels.

A year later, in 2018, the Kenyan government created a communication strategy to disseminate information on AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance) to the general public.

Causes of Antimicrobial Resistance

The root cause of antimicrobial resistance is the mutation of microbes, leading to the inability of previously effective medicines to eradicate the effects of diseases arising from such organisms.

The mutation can occur due to unparalleled exposure to antibiotics, for example, from incorrect prescribing or seeping of pharmaceuticals into the environment and subsequently into water bodies that humans and animals utilize, with the latter continuing the cycle when people feed on domestic animals heavily exposed to antimicrobials.

Limited use of diagnostics by clinicians as part of the treatment process is also a critical cause of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Impact of Antimicrobial Resistance(AMR) 

The impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is widespread, including the lives of children changed forever when their parents succumb to diseases previously treatable by available medications.

The cost of maintaining public health also increases when there is antimicrobial resistance (AMR), as more powerful and more expensive medications are required to treat infections.

Some estimates say AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance) will reduce global GDP (Gross Domestic Product) by 3 percent in 26 years as morbidity (state of being unwell or diseased) increases.

Many more people will succumb to diseases previously treatable as the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) catastrophe worsens.

Way Forward: Collaboration

The pharmacy profession can significantly reduce the rise of antimicrobial resistance by working together to limit pharmaceutical waste through collaboration.

Statistics show that pharmacies, on average, lose 3 to 5 percent of their stock to expiries, which on disposal negatively impacts the environment.

Pharmacy professionals can work together as they embrace the process of redistribution through platforms like Renew Rx which connects facilities looking to liquidate excess, slow-moving, or short-expiry stock with those open to liquidating such stock in a bid to reduce the amount of pharmaceutical waste that finds its way into the environment.

Related Article: Win-Win Partnerships: How Collaboration Can Reduce Expiry Waste