Sri Lanka Study Exposes Alarming Rise in Hospital Antibiotic Use Over Five Years

A new study published in BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology examines antibiotic use in a major hospital in Northern Sri Lanka. Over five years, researchers tracked patterns in systemic antibiotic consumption. Their findings reveal rising trends and seasonal spikes tied to respiratory infections and hospital admissions. The study observed a steady increase in the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics during the period. Carbapenems, a last-resort treatment, saw a particularly sharp rise. Seasonal variations also emerged, with higher consumption during peaks in respiratory illnesses and hospitalisations.

Economic impacts were noted, including longer hospital stays and greater reliance on advanced antibiotics. The research links these trends to the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance. To address this, the authors call for continuous surveillance systems to monitor both antibiotic use and resistance patterns.

Recommendations include investing in laboratory infrastructure for faster diagnostics. Community outreach programs are also urged to educate patients and caregivers on proper antibiotic use. The study further advocates for strong antimicrobial stewardship programs in Sri Lankan tertiary hospitals. The research underscores the need for global surveillance of antibiotic consumption. Early detection of resistance threats could help curb misuse. Improved diagnostics and public education may reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and slow resistance development.