According to the Ministry of Health, Vietnam has made important strides in curbing drug resistance. In 2023, Vietnam approved the National Strategy on Antimicrobial Resistance Prevention and Control for the 2023-2030 period, with a vision to 2045.
This strategy promotes cross-sectoral coordination between the Health, Agriculture, Environment, and Industry and Trade sectors, and calls for the participation of policy makers, health service providers, businesses, farmers, and the entire population.
In addition to the rally in response to the "World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week" organized by the Ministry of Health on November 22, pharmaceutical companies also launched the fight against antimicrobial resistance. Sandoz, the world's leading company in generic and biosimilar drugs, announced the launch of the Community Program on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
The program responds to the National Strategy on Antibiotic Resistance Prevention and Control in Vietnam for the period 2023 - 2030 according to Decision 1121/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister, calling on people to take action to prevent and combat antibiotic resistance to protect people, society and future generations of the country.
Mr. Charaf Eddine Kadri - General Director of Sandoz Vietnam - said: "Patients or parents often arbitrarily choose antibiotics or anti-infective drugs to treat common diseases, but they are not effective."
Responding to the question of what people need to do to reduce antibiotic resistance, this representative said that it is necessary to follow the instructions of the Ministry of Health and health agencies such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommended for the issue of antibiotic resistance.
Use antibiotics properly. Only use antibiotics when necessary. Follow your doctor's instructions, do not buy and use antibiotics on your own.
Complete the course of treatment: Take the right antibiotic, at the right dose, at the right time, and for the right length of time. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you feel better. Do not share antibiotics with others or reuse old ones.
Practice good personal hygiene, such as washing your hands regularly, to help prevent the spread of germs. Get vaccinated to protect yourself from preventable infections.
Support the rational use of antibiotics in livestock and farming such as choosing safe food: Buy products from reliable sources, certified to be antibiotic-free. Support clean agriculture, encourage livestock farming without overuse of antibiotics.
"Raise public awareness, educate yourself and those around you about the risks of antibiotic resistance, how to use antibiotics properly and how to prevent them by referring to documents shared by the Hospital, Center for Disease Control, Ministry of Health. At the same time, participate in campaigns to support propaganda and education activities to the community on this issue" - Mr. Charaf Eddine Kadri said.
With the theme “The right dose of antibiotics - Enough love for the family”, this community program aims to address a serious global health threat with significant impact in Vietnam, affecting people's health and the country's sustainable health development.
The program will run for five years, from November 1, 2024 to December 31, 2028, focusing on broad public outreach and education to raise awareness about responsible antibiotic use.
