Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: A Solution to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance

India consumes more antibiotics than any other country, making it to the top of the chart being the largest consumer of antibiotics globally. But this top rank is concerning this time, as it reflects not only inefficient use but also a rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) cases. Antibiotics and antifungals, vital for saving lives, become less effective with overuse, leading to antibiotic resistance, which is being recognized as a serious global health threat by the CDC.

Awareness of proper dosing and rational use of antibiotics is lacking among clinicians. Like Colistin, which was once sidelined due to toxicity concerns, is now making a comeback globally in few parts of Asia other than India because of its efficacy towards against multidrug-resistant pathogens. But its narrow therapeutic range and potential toxicity remain challenges especially in critically ill patients. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) can optimize its use by helping overlook and adjust dosage regimens to achieve therapeutic levels promptly, ensuring efficacy while minimizing side effects. Because colistin's effects can vary widely among patients due to its complex nature, TDM ensures that the dosage is precisely adjusted to suit each patient’s needs. This personalized approach improves treatment results and helps overcome the difficulties of using colistin associated with its use in multidrug-resistant infections.

Optimizing antibiotic use is therefore very crucial to effectively treat infections, protect patients from toxicity, and combat AMR. The CDC does leads efforts to combat AMR, investing in prevention-focused public health actions such as accurate laboratory detection and Antibiotic Stewardship Programs ensuring better clinical outcomes, and lower mortality rate caused by antibiotics resistance. Meanwhile, bigger biotech and pharma companies like BioCheck/DRG are joining the fight against AMR by developing TDM solutions. Collaborating with government bodies and medical institutions, BioCheck is developing quick, affordable, and accurate tests to track antibiotic levels. This effort aims to improve treatment, lower the risk of resistance, and improve patient results, demonstrating a dedication to addressing this significant global health issue directly. 

Recent research, published in the TDM journal 2022, talks about the importance of TDM in healthcare, particularly for critically ill patients. The author educates us on TDM-guided dosing of antibiotics and antifungals giving better clinical benefits, and they recommend regular TDM practice for such patients to make sure patients get just the right amount of medicine to beat infections without any extra risks. Companies like BioCheck are leading the charge in using TDM to fight antibiotic resistance, bring down mortality rates, and lift healthcare standards worldwide. Use of such TDM devices by clinicians is key to keeping our antibiotics effective and giving patients the best possible care, hoping for better outcomes in the fight against antibiotic resistance, promising a healthier future for everyone. It's reassuring to have solutions available all around the corner of the world that tackle mortality issues and improve healthcare outcomes.

The article is authored by Laharika Katamoni, Scientist at BioCheck,Inc., California, USA.