The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said improvement in the enforcement of policies on the proper use and disposal of antimicrobials is needed to maintain the country’s ecological sustainability.
The DENR said policy measures are needed to target specific high-risk environments with elevated concentrations of antibiotics such as wastewater treatment plants in hospitals, health care facilities and pharmaceutical industries.
In a statement, DENR undersecretary for field operations Juan Miguel Cuna said the rise in antibiotic consumption can bring permanent damage to the environment and endanger the health of humans and animals.
Cuna did not cite specific changes needed but said there is a need to strengthen awareness on the relation of antibiotic presence in the ecosystem through a multi-sectoral collaboration.
“The emergent issue of antibiotic residues and antimicrobial resistance is a complex phenomenon that requires collaborative approaches and efforts from government, relevant organizations, and stakeholders,” Cuna said.
The DENR cited the World Health Organization’s findings that the environment plays a major role in antibiotic resistance as bacteria in soil, rivers and seawater can develop resistance through contact with resistant bacteria, antibiotics and disinfectant agents released by human activity. – Jed Macapagal
