A series of scientific workshops, launched on 3/11, brought together health experts, doctors, and pharmacists. The initiative aimed to standardize knowledge and raise public awareness of antibiotic resistance. This effort is crucial for reducing drug resistance, preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics, and ultimately improving public health in Vietnam to international standards, especially given the country's high rate of antibiotic use.

A workshop supporting Antibiotic Awareness Week, organized by Biocodex in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Pharmacists Association, this November. Photo: Biocodex

A workshop supporting Antibiotic Awareness Week, organized by Biocodex in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Pharmacists Association, this November. Photo: Biocodex

While antibiotics are invaluable in treating infections, their misuse poses significant risks to human health. A report titled "The Burden of Antibiotic Resistance in Vietnam" by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) highlights antibiotic resistance as a global health threat. From 2015 to 2020, Vietnam ranked 11th worldwide in antibiotic consumption, as categorized by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Exhibition image during Antibiotic Awareness Week. Photo: WHO

Exhibition image during Antibiotic Awareness Week. Photo: WHO

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Head of General Internal Medicine 2 at Children's Hospital 1 and Deputy Head of the Pediatrics Department at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized the dual nature of antibiotics: "Antibiotics are a double-edged sword. While they are powerful tools for treating bacterial infections, they also carry inherent risks." He elaborated on two main concerns: first, antibiotics can disrupt the gut microbiome, causing immediate issues like abdominal pain and diarrhea, as well as long-term consequences such as a heightened risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), asthma, and obesity. Second, the misuse of antibiotics can increase the quantity of antibiotic resistance genes, facilitating their spread in the environment and within human populations.

According to WHO, the excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics is a primary contributor to rising antibiotic resistance in Vietnam. The Ministry of Health's "Project to Strengthen Control of Prescription and Sale of Prescription Drugs 2017-2020" revealed a prevalent habit among the public of self-medicating with antibiotics without prior medical examination. This practice leads to drug misuse and an elevated risk of resistance, particularly for respiratory tract infections, often exacerbating the condition.

Recognizing the urgent reality of antibiotic resistance, WHO stresses the need for controlled antibiotic use in humans, agriculture, and aquaculture, alongside strengthened national surveillance. Antibiotic Awareness Week, observed annually from 18-24/11, is a global WHO campaign. It urges communities, healthcare professionals, and businesses to collaborate in mitigating drug resistance, which is currently one of the most significant threats to global health.

A Biocodex Vietnam workshop activity as part of the antibiotic resistance campaign. Photo: Biocodex

A Biocodex Vietnam workshop activity as part of the antibiotic resistance campaign. Photo: Biocodex

Biocodex Vietnam actively supports this awareness week in the country. David Fontana, General Director of Biocodex Vietnam and Asia-Pacific Regional Director, stated: "As a company consistently focused on gut microbiome health, we recognize Biocodex's clear role in helping to mitigate the consequences of antibiotic resistance." He added that by participating in this campaign, the company aims to disseminate knowledge, raise awareness, and act alongside the community for a Vietnam free from drug resistance.

David Fontana, General Director of Biocodex Vietnam and Asia-Pacific Regional Director. Photo: Biocodex

David Fontana, General Director of Biocodex Vietnam and Asia-Pacific Regional Director. Photo: Biocodex

By Kim Anh

Biocodex Vietnam, established in early 2025, is a subsidiary of the French Biocodex Group, a global leader in probiotics with over 70 years of experience. Its formation marks a strategic expansion for the group in Southeast Asia, with a mission to bring international-standard microbiome health solutions closer to Vietnamese consumers.

Website: biocodex.vn