Vijayawada: Usage of antibiotic drugs has shot up immensely in AP as people, who develop Covid-19 symptoms like cold, cough, mild fever and body pains, have started taking them without a doctor’s prescription.
Azithromycin, doxycycline and several other such drugs are being purchased by people across the counter from pharmacies, as daily caseload of Coronavirus infections is rising by the day. The highly infectious Omicron variant is said to be playing a crucial role in spread of the virus. People are taking over-the-counter anti-biotics for cough, mild fever and body pains, unaware of the fact that certain varieties of drugs can affect their vital organs like liver, kidneys and intestines.
Drugs control administration authorities, who are supposed to keep tabs on sale of scheduled prescription drugs, are being lenient in dealing with such violations, keeping in mind the pandemic situation.
To avoid such indiscriminate and irrigational consumption of antibiotic drugs, health experts suggest that the state government enhance Covid-19 tests at all health centres from the present 30,000 tests per day. This will decrease indiscriminate use of anti-biotics to an extent. Experts also suggest that government start telemedicine services through 104 call centre. This will help those falling ill with suspected Covid consult doctors and take their advice on their medication, instead of opting for self-medication and inviting health complications in the long run.
Doctors of Indian Medical Association, AP branch, have advised people medicating themselves with antibiotics. They suggest that people first get tested before taking prescribed medicines after doctor’s advice.
IMA AP president Dr. C. Srinivasa Raju said, “It is true that many people have started using antibiotic drugs on their own on feeling Covid-like symptoms without going for testing. This will affect their health in the long run. The state government should enhance Covid tests to address this issue.”
Pharmacists confess that they are getting huge supplies of anti-biotics from manufacturers and selling them even without prescription, though it is against norms.
