UNS — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, together with Protecting Indonesia from the Threat of Antibiotic Resistance (PINTAR), Managers of Indonesian Apothecary Association (PC IAI) Chapter Semarang, and several universities held antibiotic education campaign to commemorate world antimicrobial awareness week 2021. The campaign raised the theme of “Wise Usage of Antibiotics.”
Prof. Ari Probandari, Professor in Public Health Science Faculty of Medical Science (FK) UNS and one of the researchers at PINTAR, emphasized that this campaign aims to improve community awareness on the danger of antibiotic resistance. She also quoted the WHO statement that antibiotic resistance is as dangerous as a pandemic. Therefore, community involvement is needed to be an agent of change in using antibiotics wisely.
“This can start with purchasing antibiotics only with doctor prescription,” Prof. Ari stated on Wednesday (1/12/2021).
In line with this statement, Prof. Tri Wibawa, as Professor at the Faculty of Medical Science, Community Health, and Nursing (FKKMK) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), added that this campaign is a form of willingness to be involved in educating the community. Besides UNS, the campaign that ran from 18 to 24 November 2021 was also supported by UGM, Ministry of Health, Kirby Institute of UNSW Sydney, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University College London, and George Institute for Global Health UNSW Sydney.
“Around forty participants involved in the campaign run in three locations; around Bank Indonesia area, Taman Indonesia Kaya, and Simpang Lima. One by one, education was held to prioritize community comfort, considering the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic,” Prof. Ari added.
Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance occurs as the result of antibiotic use that does not follow the indication. Based on the PINTAR study, there were 69% of antibiotic usage without a doctor’s prescription, which is prohibited by the regulation because antibiotic falls under potent drug classification.
The Chief of PC IAI Chapter Semarang, I Kadek Bagiana M.Sc. Apt., stated that the danger of antimicrobial resistance is the difficulty in treating patients once they get an infection.
“Antibiotics should be used according to the needs or indication because not all illnesses need antibiotics. This is also to correct community comprehension that they need antibiotics for pain. We want to emphasize to the community that they need to be wise in using antibiotics,” I Kadek Bagiana stated.
Pharmaceutical personnel, both pharmacists and pharmaceutical technical personnel, certainly have an important role in controlling antimicrobial resistance in the community. Humas UNS
Reporter: Bayu Prasetya Aji
Editor: Dwi Hastuti