Combating antimicrobial resistance: a shared responsibility of everyone

World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week aims to educate, advocate, and act now on the issue of antibiotic misuse and overuse. AMR poses a global threat, with 4.71 million deaths associated with bacterial AMR in 2021 and an increase to 8.22 million in 2050. Human activities contribute to AMR, including overprescribing, non-adherence, and inadequate infection control measures. The COVID-19 pandemic has complicated the situation, with 75% of COVID-19 patients receiving antibiotic treatment despite only 8% having bacterial co-infections. Post-pandemic infections, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), have heightened antibiotic use. Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing is influenced by patient-doctor interactions, primary care settings, and the nationwide health-care system. AMR is often perceived as invisible to the general public, and misconceptions about antibiotics are prevalent. To address AMR, universal awareness and strategies for guiding rational antibiotic use are needed. In 2022, Bangladesh launched an antibiotic packaging initiative, with 80% of pharmaceutical companies adopting the initiative.