Overuse and misuse of antibiotics is becoming a silent public health crisis in Pakistan — something that could turn ordinary infections into deadly, incurable conditions. In pharmacies, hospitals and clinics across the country, antibiotics are routinely dispensed without proper diagnosis or prescriptions. Many patients self-medicate as well, unaware of the long-term consequences. This reckless practice is fueling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and pushing us toward a post-antibiotic era.
A survey of 353 pharmacies in Punjab has revealed that 97% of outlets dispensed antibiotics without a prescription, blatantly violating laws which prohibit over-the-counter sales. Such practices leave Pakistan among the countries most vulnerable to AMR-related deaths. Hospitals already report prolonged patient stays and frequent treatment failures as once-effective drugs lose their potency. If this continues unchecked, even minor cuts and routine surgeries could become life threatening, collapsing modern medicine as we know it.This crisis cannot be addressed through awareness campaigns alone.
Authorities need to implement prescription-only regulations, penalise violators and require hospitals to adopt antibiotic stewardship programmes that mandate diagnostic testing prior to treatment. Public education campaigns must teach responsible usage and dispel myths regarding the use of antibiotics for viral infections. Medical schools and training programmes should emphasise evidence-based prescribing, and pharmaceutical firms must be held accountable for marketing tactics that push unnecessary sales.
Antibiotics are a life-saving resource, not a convenience drug. Without immediate intervention, Pakistan could face a future where infections we once cured with ease become lethal threats, damage that may take decades to rectify
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Rekhmeena Sahibzada
Islamabad
