STREPSILS SOUNDS ALARM ON AMR IN MALAYSIA!

MALAYSIA faces a looming health crisis driven by the widespread misuse of antibiotics, a danger highlighted recently at the ‘Resist Resistance’ Panel hosted by Strepsils, the world's leading throat relief brand. 

The event brought together key figures from the Ministry of Health and prominent medical experts to urgently address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The panel, featuring Dr. Ho Bee Kiau, Consultant Family Medicine Specialist from Klinik Kesihatan Bandar Botanic, Klang; Dr. Rahela Ambaras Khan, Head of the Pharmacotherapy Branch, Pharmacy Department, Kuala Lumpur Hospital; Professor Dr. Baharudin Abdullah, Senior Consultant, Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Universiti Sains Malaysia; Dr. Mohazmi Mohamad, Family Medicine Specialist, Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya and Dr. Koh Kar Chai, President of the Manipal Alumni Association Malaysia, issued a stark warning regarding the dangerous trend of over-prescribing and demanding antibiotics, particularly for viral infections like sore throats.

A significant concern articulated by the experts is the common practice of treating sore throats with antibiotics, despite most cases being viral in origin and therefore not requiring such medication. 

This inappropriate use is actively fueling the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or "superbugs," a scenario where common infections could once again become deadly. 

DECORATIVE Pix.

A recent study presented at the panel underscored this issue, revealing that only 2.8% of sore throat cases in public primary care clinics were caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS), the only common bacterial cause justifying antibiotics. 

Yet, 22.3% of these patients received antibiotics, with over 90% of these prescriptions deemed unnecessary.

To counter this, the panel discussion spotlighted the Malaysian Multidisciplinary Sore Throat Consensus, a newly launched set of clinical guidelines aimed at helping healthcare professionals make accurate diagnoses and reduce inappropriate antibiotic use. 

The framework promotes evidence-based sore throat management with a strong focus on patient education and non-antibiotic treatment options.

FROM Left: Dr. Koh, Dr. Ho, Dr. Rahela, Dr. Baharudin, Dr. Suresh and Dr.Mohazmi.

“The Ministry of Health is scaling up national interventions to address antibiotic misuse. Our focus is on policy enforcement, enhancing clinical guidelines, and running large-scale education campaigns to shift both public and professional behaviour. Combating antimicrobial resistance requires collective responsibility, and we’re committed to leading that charge,” said Dr. Ho Bee Kiau of the Ministry of Health Malaysia. 

“As part of our antimicrobial stewardship efforts at Hospital Kuala Lumpur, we see firsthand how misuse—often driven by misinformation—can lead to treatment failure and drug-resistant infections. Empowering patients with the right knowledge is critical to preventing a future where even routine infections become untreatable,” continued Dr. Rahela Ambaras Khan.

Adding to the sentiment, Professor Dr. Baharudin Abdullah, one of the authors of the Sore Throat Consensus noted, “Clinical guidelines like the Malaysian Multidisciplinary Sore Throat Consensus are designed to support better diagnostic decisions. When used correctly, they help reduce reliance on antibiotics for viral infections, which don’t benefit from them. Our data shows a persistent gap between what’s medically appropriate and what’s being prescribed. Closing that gap is essential.” 

“Patients often feel uncertain when told antibiotics aren’t needed. That’s why education is key—not just for doctors, but for the public. When people understand why antibiotics don’t work for viral sore throats, they’re more likely to accept alternative treatments and avoid contributing to resistance.” echoed Dr. Mohazmi Mohamad.

“Public awareness and professional guidelines are our best tools in this fight. We need to move away from a ‘pill for every ill’ mindset. Studies have shown that this approach can significantly reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, which is a critical step in combating AMR,” added Dr. Koh Kar Chai.

In line with promoting responsible sore throat management, the Malaysian Multidisciplinary Sore Throat Consensus also provides healthcare professionals with clear, evidence-based guidance on when antibiotics are necessary—and when they are not. 

The guidelines highlight the value of accurate diagnosis, patient education, and symptom-targeted care, reinforcing the importance of accessible solutions that help manage viral sore throats without relying on antibiotics.

“Antibiotic misuse is not just a medical issue, but a public health crisis that demands immediate action. The first step in combatting AMR is changing the way we think about common infections like sore throats and opting for symptom-targeted treatments, such as the Strepsils spray, rather than resorting to unnecessary antibiotic use,” said Mr. Harsh Takru, Reckitt’s Marketing Director for Health and Hygiene (Malaysia and Singapore).

As Malaysia confronts the escalating challenge of AMR, Strepsils reiterated its dedication to fostering a healthier future by providing both patients and healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools essential for making responsible healthcare decisions. 

The Resist Resistance Panel not only reinforced this commitment but also marked the official launch of the Sore Throat Consensus, a critical framework to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and promote evidence-based sore throat care nationwide.

PROF. Dr. Baharudin presents the Sore Throat Concensus developed to guide healthcare professionals in making evidence based decisions - a key part of Strepsil's commitment to promoting responsible sore throat care.

#Strepsils #MalaysianMultidisciplinarySoreThroatConcensus #Superbugs #fyp