[News Today] Antibiotics use 2nd highest in OECD

[LEAD]
How often do you take antibiotics and do you really need them?

Korea has the second-highest antibiotic use among OECD countries.

But overuse can lead to resistance and when that happens, even the strongest drugs may no longer work.

A new study warns antibiotic-resistant infections could kill over 30,000 people here by 2030.

We take a closer look at the risks, and the race to stop them.

[REPORT]
This man in his 30s received a major surgery for his spinal disk, which had ruptured during his military service.

He developed resistance to antibiotics, which were heavily used in the treatment process.

Person with antibiotic-resistant infection /
Despite taking medication, I didn't get better and continued to feel pain with pus and inflammation.

When resistance develops as a result of antibiotics abuse, it is necessary to use stronger antibiotics. But even such medications are no longer effective against the superbugs that have been recently surging.

Last year, some 42,000 CRE infections were reported, which is a 3.5-fold increase in six years.

It develops into urinary tract infections, pneumonia and blood poisoning with a high fatality rate.

Improper prescriptions have led to the misuse and abuse of antibiotics.

In a survey of doctors, 21 percent answered that they had prescribed antibiotics when it wasn't necessary.

Some hospitals are operating a task force to prevent the abuse of antibiotics.

Heo Eun-jeong / Pharmacist overseeing antibiotics usage
I monitor the use of antibiotics, especially for the patients on long-term antibiotic treatment and the ones taking it unnecessarily.

Medical experts advise that the prescription and intake of antibiotics be limited to only when it's needed.

Prof. Kim Hong-bin / Seoul Nat'l Univ. Bundang Hospital
Antibiotics should be prescribed only when necessary. It's not advisable to demand it just because a patient feels that they might need it.

The government plans to announce antibiotic resistance management measures next month.

■ 제보하기
▷ 전화 : 02-781-1234, 4444
▷ 이메일 : kbs1234@kbs.co.kr
▷ 카카오톡 : 'KBS제보' 검색, 채널 추가
▷ 카카오 '마이뷰', 유튜브에서 KBS뉴스를 구독해주세요!

KBS