"Many Vietnamese commonly self-medicate with antibiotics for coughs or colds, reuse old prescriptions, or stop treatment prematurely once they feel better," stated Associate Professor Dr. Tran Van Ngoc, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Respiratory Society. He made these remarks at a partnership signing on 14/4 between the society, Long Chau Pharmacy chain, and Sandoz Vietnam, aimed at raising awareness and promoting adherence to antibiotic treatment.

International reports indicate Vietnam faces severe antibiotic resistance, a global issue burdening healthcare systems and threatening patient lives. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) for 2020-2023 reveals nearly 300,000 Vietnamese deaths were directly or indirectly linked to antibiotic resistance.

Explaining this situation, Associate Professor Ngoc noted that easy public access to antibiotics is a key factor. Many individuals self-medicate for viral illnesses, such as viral fevers or the common flu, which do not require antibiotics. Others misuse antibiotics for bacterial infections or fail to complete the full treatment course even when prescribed correctly.

Many patients take antibiotics for only a few days. When combination medications, like fever reducers and pain relievers, alleviate symptoms, they mistakenly believe they are cured and stop the medication prematurely. This incomplete treatment allows bacteria to survive, leading to disease recurrence and increased drug resistance, making subsequent treatments more challenging and costly.

Furthermore, the practice of reusing old prescriptions exacerbates this issue. When antibiotics are misused, susceptible bacteria are eliminated first, while resistant bacteria survive and proliferate in the respiratory tract. Over time, these resistant strains can cause more severe illnesses, such as pneumonia, often requiring hospitalization and stronger antibiotics.

To address antibiotic misuse, Mr. Ngoc emphasized the pivotal role of pharmacies and pharmacists. In a context where individuals can easily purchase medication in the community, pharmacies serve not only as suppliers but also as crucial "checkpoints" to guide proper drug use.

Only use medication when prescribed by a doctor and complete the full course. Photo: Quynh Tran

Nguyen Do Quyen, Deputy General Director of FPT Retail and Executive Director of Long Chau Pharmacy and Vaccination Center, stated that pharmacies observe antibiotics are widely used but also frequently misused. Many patients stop medication once they feel better or treat themselves based on personal experience, inadvertently reducing antibiotics' long-term efficacy. Therefore, the Long Chau system focuses on clear pharmacist counseling to help patients understand the importance of completing the full course and supporting them throughout their treatment.

According to Associate Professor Ngoc, antibiotics should be considered a valuable medical asset, not a common commodity. Therefore, they should only be used when prescribed by a doctor and with full adherence to the treatment course. Proper use protects long-term health. Conversely, abuse and indiscriminate use will gradually render these drugs ineffective, pushing patients towards a future with no effective treatment options.

Le Phuong