The government is taking a stringent measure to restrict misuse of antibiotics in a bid to prevent antimicrobial resistance.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim said this while addressing as the chief guest at a seminar organized on World Antimicrobial Resistance Week, 2023 at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council Auditorium at Farmgate in the capital on Thursday.
The current government has enacted laws to curb the uncontrolled use of antibiotics. Special measures have been taken to ensure proper and strict implementation of this law. There is no room for compromise in this case.
‘’Those who manufacture, use or trade in substandard antibiotics or other drugs that pose a risk to human health will be prosecuted in a special court,’’ said the minister.
However, some pharmacies are selling antibiotics without any prescription while some doctors are prescribing antibiotics arbitrarily. It is observed that many pharmacies at village level or in remote areas are misusing antibiotics. Mobile courts are working against such illegal use of antibiotics. In this way, the government is working not only to restrict misuse of antibiotics, but also to prevent use of harmful substances bad for human and animal health or the environment, the minister added.
He also said that the One Health concept is popular all over the world. The current government has taken various steps to implement the One Health concept. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government are working together to implement One Health.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock of the government is giving utmost importance to this matter. It is the responsibility of the state to ensure the good health of people, to ensure food security. The government does not accept any laxity or negligence in fulfilling its duties.
In this regard, he added, ‘’In order to improve people’s health, safe food and quality of life, we need to work together in the field of medical system, proper use of medicines, quality medicine manufacturing and monitoring of the end products. We all have to be very aware and responsible to achieve the goals.’’
He further added that at once the government canceled the licenses of a large number of pharmaceutical companies for not producing quality medicines. Several cases has have been filed against them for adulteration of medicines. Because there can be no compromise in adulterating medicines that are essential for human treatment and survival.
At present, many medicines manufactured in the country are being exported due to their quality. Still, the government is monitoring and conducting tests to ensure the quality of medicines of reputed companies, to maintain international standards.
