Antibiotic Consumption and Antibiotic Policies in Relation to Antibiotic Resistance: A Comparison of the Global Situation with that in Syria and AANES (Rojava)

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the inevitable evolution of super-bacteria pose a serious threat to human health worldwide. If this problem is not resolved immediately. As a result of the outbreak of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), many countries have adopted national action plans aimed at reducing the consumption of antibiotics. Here, we have reviewed several prominent studies on antibiotic consumption around the world, including Syria. A careful and comparative analysis of these studies indicate high prescription rates of broad-spectrum antibiotics in Outpatient Antibiotic Dispensing (OAD) and high percentage uses of the Watch group of AWaRE classification. By comparison antibiotic consumption rate in Syria and Autonomous Administration of North East Syria, known as AANES or Rojava, is comparable to that of average global consumption (20.9 DID) and much lower than those in neighboring countries such as Turkey (48,9 DID) and Iran (60 DID). Some recommendations regarding the situation in AANES (Rojava) have been presented.  The purpose of this review is to summarize several important studies on worldwide antibiotic consumption with an emphasis on the Syrian situation and the effects of antibiotic consumption on the development of bacterial resistance, and point out how a proper public health policy can help curb antibiotic resistance.