Pakistan among largest consumers of antibiotics, NA told

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly was informed on Friday that Pakistan is amongst the largest consumers of antibiotics, resultantly, there is an increasing resistance to even broad-spectrum antibiotics.

In a written reply to a question of Tahira Aurangzeb, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination cited major causes including self-medication in more than 51 percent of population, a large number of quacks who prescribe antibiotics, availability of over-the-counter antibiotics and inappropriate prescription of antibiotics.

The National AMR Surveillance System has been established by the National Institute of Health (NIH) under the Health Ministry that includes various public and private sector laboratories and health facilities, which share data on the platform.

This data has been reported annually to the WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance and use Surveillance System (GLASS) since 2017. The data is an evidence of rising trend in the resistance to broad-spectrum antibiotics in the country.

Giving details of the steps taken by the government to stop this increasing antibiotic resistance in the country, the written reply stated that the Ministry of Health has included Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) containment as priority agenda for health security and has been included in the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS).

The NIH has been designated as National Focal Point for the AMR to coordinate and oversee the implementation of AMR strategies and initiatives. The Government of Pakistan has fully endorsed the Global Action Plan for AMR adopted vide Resolution WHA68.7 during the 68th WHA and support the goal of Global Action Plan to ensure continuity of successful treatment and prevention of infectious diseases with effective and safe medicines that are quality-assured, used in a responsible way and accessible to all who need them. The National AMR Strategic Framework has been developed in Pakistan with “One Health” approach. This framework has been developed through a consultative process and is in line with the five strategic objectives of the WHO Global Action Plan for the AMR.

In compliance to WHA resolutions, the Health Ministry has developed and endorsed the National Action Plan for AMR in Pakistan. The primary objective of the plan, developed through collaborative efforts of concerned stakeholders, is to ensure that current antimicrobials remain effective as long as possible, minimise the cost associated with their indiscriminate use and commitment of all relevant stakeholders.

The Health Ministry is collaborating with other stakeholders, organisations and professional societies to undertake various initiatives like setting integrated AMR surveillance, antibiotic stewardship programme, antimicrobial consumption and utilisation surveillance, developing different guidelines on AMR and capacity enhancement of AMR related laboratory diagnostics.

The National Reference Labs for AMR, in both human health and animal/ livestock sectors, have been established with the assistance of Fleming Fund. A pilot project on Healthcare Associated Infections Surveillance is being piloted in six tertiary care hospitals across Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmad Shaikh told the National Assembly that a transshipment policy is being drafted to promote Pakistan’s role in regional and international trade. In reply to a question of Zahra Wadood Fatemi during the Question-Hour, the minister told the House that the policy would provide clear guidelines and incentives for transshipment activities.

He said that around 440 amendments in several sections of Amendment of Merchant Shipping Ordinance 2001 have been proposed to modernise and update it in line with international standards, ensuring compliance and encouraging growth in the shipping sector.

He said that Pakistan has ratified the Hong Kong Convention, aimed at safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships. “This move will enhance Pakistan’s international standing and promote sustainable shipping practices,” he told the House.

The written reply stated that a comprehensive shipping policy has been drafted to provide a clear framework for the development of shipping industry, including incentives for ship registration under the Pakistani flag and policies for shipbuilding and repairs.

It was told that the government is in the process of formulating a National Maritime Policy to align various aspects of the maritime sector, such as shipping, ports and fisheries, under a unified framework for growth and sustainability.

In response to a question from MQM’s Aminul Haq, Parliamentary Secretary for Industries and Production Shahid Usman informed the Lower House that a new policy for mobile device manufacturing and export is being devised to boost the exports of locally manufactured mobile phones. He said that 93 percent of mobile handsets are assembled locally, highlighting the country’s substantial domestic production capacity. It was told that the Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy (MDMP2020) expired in June 2023, necessitating the announcement of a successor policy which is under the process of consultation.

The industry is advocating for the inclusion of additional products such as smart watches, SIM-based tablets, POS machines, laptops, infotainment systems and tracking devices, etc, in the forthcoming policy. Mobile device manufacturing industry is currently facing several challenges that include imposition of 18 percent sales tax. The National Assembly was told through the written answer that the absence of tariff structure for localisation of parts and components has delayed efforts to enhance localisation.