REVIEW OF PHARMACOLOGICAL STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS

Abstract

Background: Antibiotic resistance is a significant global health challenge, jeopardizing the efficacy of antibiotics and leading to increased healthcare costs, patient morbidity, and mortality.

Objectives: This review explores key pharmacological strategies to combat antibiotic resistance, highlighting their effectiveness, challenges, and potential for application in healthcare settings. It also identifies gaps in current practices and proposes future research directions.

Methods: A narrative synthesis of recent literature was conducted, focusing on strategies such as antimicrobial stewardship programs, combination therapies, personalized medicine, rapid diagnostics, and novel treatments.

Results: Antimicrobial stewardship programs were found to be central to optimizing antibiotic use and reducing resistance. Combination therapies and personalized medicine further enhance treatment precision and efficacy. Emerging innovations, including artificial intelligence and advanced materials like nanoparticles, offer promising solutions. However, implementation gaps, particularly in resource-limited settings, and high costs of novel technologies remain significant barriers.

Conclusions: This review underscores the importance of integrating evidence-based pharmacological strategies with emerging technologies to address antibiotic resistance. Future research should prioritize scalable, cost-effective interventions and a greater focus on community and outpatient settings to complement hospital-based efforts.