The Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance has called on all nations to reduce antimicrobial waste in the environment. This includes identifying and implementing safe disposal methods for antimicrobial waste from food, human and animal health, as well as manufacturing facilities.
This call comes in advance of the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, and online from 28 Feb to 2 March 2022. At this assembly, countries will discuss the most pressing environmental problems facing the world.
The Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance comprises heads of state, ministers of government, leaders from the private and civil sectors, and others. The group was created in November 2020 to increase global political momentum, leadership, and action on antimicrobial resistant (AMR). It is co-chaired jointly by Their Excellencies Mia Amor Mottley and Sheikh Hasina, Prime Ministers of Barbados and Bangladesh.
Polluting the environment is antimicrobial drug waste
The Global Leaders Group’s call to action calls for all countries to improve measures for the management and disposal of antimicrobial-containing waste and runoff from manufacturing sites, farms, hospitals and other sources.
Antimicrobials that are given to animals, humans, and plants can be found in the environment and water sources (including drinking waters) through wastewater, run-off, sewage, and this spreading of drug-resistant organisms.
This could increase the spread of superbugs, which are resistant to many antimicrobial drugs. [1]. It could also cause harm to the environment.
It is vital to reduce the environmental antimicrobial contamination in order to preserve the effectiveness and efficacy of antimicrobial drugs.
The Global Leaders Group urges all countries to create and implement standards and regulations to better monitor and control the release and distribution of antimicrobials and drug resistant organisms into the environment.
Other important actions include:
In the manufacturing sector, the development of national antimicrobial manufacturing pollution standards in order to better control and monitor antimicrobial contamination.
Implementing standards to manage and treat discharge from food-animal farms and aquaculture farms is essential for food systems. Inaction can have devastating consequences for human, animal, and environmental health.
Antimicrobial drugs include antibiotics, antifungals, and antiparasitics. They are used in both human and veterinary medicine around the world. They are used to treat or prevent diseases in humans and animals. Sometimes they are also used in food production to promote healthy animals’ growth. To prevent and treat diseases in plants, antimicrobial pesticides can also be used in agriculture.
Current antimicrobial drug use in humans, animals, and plants is leading a worrying rise in drug resistance and making it harder to treat infections.
Drug-resistant microbes as well as disease-causing pathogens can be transmitted between humans, animals and plants, and within the environment.
Antimicrobial resistance may be rising due to the climate crisis. [2]
Nearly 5,000,000 people die every year from drug-resistant diseases. All countries must take immediate action to stop the spread of antimicrobial resistance. The world is fast approaching a tipping moment where the antimicrobials required to treat infections in humans, animals, and plants will no more be effective.
The consequences for local and global economies, health systems, food security, and food systems will be catastrophic.
“The links between antimicrobial resistance and environmental health and the current climate crisis are becoming more obvious.” Her Excellency Mia Amor Mottley is the co-chair of The Global Leader Group on Antimicrobial Resistance. She is also the Prime Minister of Barbados. “We must act now in order to protect the environment and people around the world from the harmful effects antimicrobial pollution is having on the environment.”
All countries should make it a priority to understand and manage global antimicrobial contamination.
Although it is not possible to determine the exact extent of antimicrobial pollution in the world, evidence suggests that it may have significant consequences for antimicrobial resistant bacteria. Multi-drug-resistant bacteria are found in marine waters and sediments near aquaculture and industrial discharges. [3]
All countries can play a part in disposing of expired and unused medicine correctly.
Investors can also make a contribution by investing in the development and research of cost-effective, greener waste management technology.