The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Sunday underscored the importance of enforcing policies on the proper use and disposal of antimicrobials to maintain the country’s ecological sustainability.
To stop the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, Undersecretary for Field Operations and Environment Juan Miguel Cuna echoed the campaign of the Department of Health against antimicrobial resistance during the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week High-Level Media Forum.
“Important policy measures that target specific high-risk environments with elevated concentrations of antibiotics, such as wastewater treatment plants in hospitals, health care facilities, and pharmaceutical industries are of utmost importance,” he said.
“The proper use and disposal policies of these antibiotics are vital in maintaining ecological sustainability,” he added.
Secretary Roy Cimatu emphasized the parallel importance of behavior change in addressing antimicrobial resistance and in caring for the environment.
“Just like addressing environmental issues, the Filipino people need behavior change to combat antibiotic misuse and abuse and prevent antimicrobial resistance in the country,” he said.
He said the rise in antibiotic consumption could bring permanent damage to the environment, and could also endanger the health of humans and animals.
“Increased antibiotic consumption can cause irreversible environmental contamination and threaten human and animal health,” he said.