Now that the term "superbug" is firmly fixed in the cultural lexicon and mcr-1, the gene responsible for making multi-drug resistant organisms resistant to even the strongest antibiotics, has been identified on multiple continents, some researchers are calling for a limit on antibiotic prescriptions to control the gene's spread.
As The Independent reports, the authors of a new report in Science suggest limiting antibiotic prescriptions to nine daily doses a year per person could help stem the threat of untreatable strains of bacteria.
“We propose that no country consume more than the current median global level – 8.54 defined daily doses per capita per year. We estimate that this would lower overall use by 17.5 per cent globally,” the authors wrote. “Further reductions could be achieved through public campaigns, aimed at physicians and patients, to discourage inappropriate antibiotic use, particularly in response to seasonal influenza.”
These proposed restrictions are averaged per person, so in instances when patients are fighting off life-threatening infections, antibiotics would still be available. According to The Independent, the researchers plan to urge world leaders at a U.N. meeting on antibiotic resistance next month to move on measures that would curb antibiotic resistance.
More articles on superbugs:
Multidrug-resistant bacteria can result in HAIs — But how do they come into the hospital?
CDC to provide $67 million to health departments for fight against antibiotic resistance
Lab-made proteins could help fight antibiotic resistance