LAHORE: Expressing serious concern over rising misuse of antibiotics in Pakistan, the Federal Ministry of Health has told the National Assembly that more than 51 percent of the population of the country consumes antibiotics without proper medical supervision.
Officials warned that Pakistan ranks among the top countries in antibiotic usage, a practice contributing to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant diseases like XDR typhoid and MDR tuberculosis.
The over-prescribing of antibiotics by healthcare professionals is cited as a major factor, along with the widespread use of these drugs in poultry and livestock, exacerbating antimicrobial resistance.
Authorities are urging immediate action to regulate antibiotic usage, stressing the importance of public awareness to combat this growing health crisis.