| Tons of Antibiotics chasing you... Did you know that every year more than 22,321 tons of Antibiotics are produced in United States alone ? Around 14,374 tons are used by humans while 6,562 tons in Animal therapeutics and 1,384 tons as growth promoters in farming. If enough precautions are not used in Food producing animals, another major chunk of antibiotics may too chase you through food. The figures given above does not include import into the country which should again jack up the consumption data significantly. Moreover, US is less populated compared to many other countries. In that sense, figures will be highly alarming if you consider the Global production, trade and uptake by humans and in Animal Health care segment. The worries are compounded by the fact that very few innovative antibiotics have been introduced in the human medicine in the past 20 years. Many of the newer antibiotic names that you come across these days are either, better formulated drug delivery mechanisms or synthetic derivatives of age old chemicals contained in pharma- ceutical classifications favouring cross resistance as well. Also, veterinary and human medical practitioners have a wider role in preventing the abuse of anti-microbials. At least, a few of them follow a hit and run strategy by always using the ' top end' broad spectrum groups of antibiotics for immediate benefits thus aiding drug resistance. It is widely accepted that, the more antibiotics are used, the greater will be the evolutionary pressure on microbes to develop and spread cross resistance. Next time, when you appreciate sales growth and invest in equity shares of pharma companies, just think over the tons of antibiotics chasing you ! November 2006 |
| Services |
| Free eMagazine Animal News & Articles 24 Hour Open Pet Store Online Query Services Veterinary Search Centre |
| © Cheerans Lab (P) Limited About us | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact us | Site Map |