Ten-year narrative review on antimicrobial resistance in Singapore.

Alvin Qijia Chua; Andrea Lay-hoon Kwa; Thean Yen Tan; Helena Legido-quigley; Li Yang Hsu

Return

Ten-year narrative review on antimicrobial resistance in Singapore.

Author: Alvin Qijia CHUA ¹ ; Andrea Lay-Hoon KWA ¹ ; Thean Yen TAN ² ; Helena LEGIDO-QUIGLEY ³ ; Li Yang HSU ³
Author Information

1. Department of Pharmacy, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.
2. Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
3. Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Singapore; anti-bacterial agents/therapeutic use; antimicrobial stewardship; bacterial drug resistance; public health
From:Singapore medical journal 2019;60(8):387-396
CountrySingapore
Language:English
Abstract: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) results in drug-resistant infections that are harder to treat, subsequently leading to increased morbidity and mortality. In 2008, we reviewed the problem of AMR in Singapore, limiting our discussion to the human healthcare sector. Ten years later, we revisit this issue again, reviewing current efforts to contain it in order to understand the progress made as well as current and emerging challenges. Although a significant amount of work has been done to control AMR and improve antibiotic prescribing in Singapore, most of it has focused on the hospital setting, with mixed impact. The role of antibiotic use and AMR in food animals and the environment - and the link to human health - is better understood today. This issue of AMR encompasses both human health as well as animal/food safety, and efforts to control it will need to continually evolve to maintain or improve on current gains.