Sale of antibiotics without prescription must be stopped: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today stressed the need for restricting the sale of antibiotics without the prescription of any registered doctor.
"Antibiotics are available everywhere in Bangladesh, and the sale of such antibiotics without a doctor's prescription must be stopped," she said.
The prime minister said this while Prof Timothy E Walsh, director of Biology Department of Ineos Institute of Antimicrobial Research, Oxford University, UK, called on her at Gono Bhaban.
After the meeting, the prime minister's speech writer Md Nazrul Islam briefed reporters.
She said once antibiotics were given from various community clinics of the country, but now it has been completely stopped. "Now antibiotics are given from the public hospitals after physicians prescribe these," she said.
Stressing the need for proper use of antibiotics, the PM said efforts are being made to ensure that antibiotics are not sold everywhere in Bangladesh.
Walsh said that Anti-microbial resistance (AMR) has become an epidemic in the world now.
If it is not prevented now, it will take a more serious turn in future, he said.
He expressed his fear that millions of people may die as a result.
Walsh praised PM Hasina's role as co-chair of the Global Leaders Group on AMR.
In the meeting, the PM highlighted the various steps taken by his government for the overall development of the health sector, including the establishment of specialised hospitals and institutes such as National Institute of Ophthalmology, Sheikh Russell Gastroliver Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Cancer and Neuro Science Hospitals.
Hasina said her government has given special emphasis on research in various fields including agriculture, basic science and medicine.
She said that apart from providing scholarships for general students, fellowships are given in 200 higher education institutions, especially in PhD, post-doctoral and research fields.
The Oxford University professor proposed introducing the Bangabandhu IOI fellowship from Ineos Institute of Antimicrobial Research for Bangladeshi students for research in medical and basic sciences under the fellowship.
In response, the prime minister gave her consent in-principle.
In addition, Walsh also proposed a partnership of the Bangladesh Parliament on AMR with the Caucuses of the British Parliament and the PM gave a positive response.