Ten-year narrative review on antimicrobial resistance in Singapore

• Published in: Singapore medical journal Vol. 60; no. 8; pp. 387 - 396
• Main Authors: Chua, Alvin Qijia, Kwa, Andrea Lay-Hoon, Tan, Thean Yen, Legido-Quigley, Helena, Hsu, Li Yang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Singapore Medical Association 01-08-2019
• Subjects: Review; Singapore; antimicrobial stewardship; anti-bacterial agents/therapeutic use; bacterial drug resistance; public health
• ISSN: 0037-5675
• DOI: 10.11622/SMEDJ.2019088

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) results in drug-resistant infections that are harder to treat, subsequently leading to increased morbidity and mortality. In 2008, we reviewed the problem of AMR in Singapore, limiting our discussion to the human healthcare sector. Ten years later, we revisit this issue again, reviewing current efforts to contain it in order to understand the progress made as well as current and emerging challenges. Although a significant amount of work has been done to control AMR and improve antibiotic prescribing in Singapore, most of it has focused on the hospital setting, with mixed impact. The role of antibiotic use and AMR in food animals and the environment - and the link to human health - is better understood today. This issue of AMR encompasses both human health as well as animal/food safety, and efforts to control it will need to continually evolve to maintain or improve on current gains.