[Antibiotic use in Mexico: review of problems and policies]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pharmaceutical Policy
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Context:

• Antibiotic resistance is a growing global threat, necessitating robust national strategies.
• Mexico faces challenges with inappropriate antibiotic use, impacting individual health and resource allocation.
• Current interventions primarily target physicians in public health services, with limited focus on consumers and the private sector.

Purpose:

• To highlight the critical public health problem of antibiotic resistance driven by inappropriate use.
• To analyze the current landscape of antibiotic use interventions in Mexico.
• To identify gaps in research and policy concerning consumer and private sector antibiotic practices.

Summary:

• Inappropriate antibiotic use fuels antibiotic resistance, a significant public health concern with increased mortality and healthcare costs.
• Mexico's response has focused on public health physicians, neglecting crucial areas like consumer behavior and private sector engagement.
• A comprehensive national antibiotic strategy integrated into health and pharmaceutical policies is lacking.

Impact:

• Emphasizes the need for broader interventions beyond healthcare professionals to combat antibiotic resistance.
• Underscores the importance of including consumer and private sector perspectives in national pharmaceutical policies.
• Provides a foundation for developing more effective, multi-faceted strategies to improve antibiotic stewardship in Mexico.