Penicillin found ineffective against 40 percent of streptococcus pneumonia

A recent study on antibiotic resistance showed worrying trends of Singapore fast becoming an epicentre of antibiotic resistance with public hospitals having some of the highest rates worldwide. Further, there is suspicion that many cases of antibiotic resistance are under reported.

The rise of antibiotic resistance is an especially serious issue in Southeast Asia, as the region is a hotspot for emerging infectious diseases, including those with pandemic potential, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), H1N1 and NDM1, an enzyme that makes bacteria resistant to a broad range of antibiotics.

This is a result of a combination of many factors, including drug resistance. Irrational drug use, frail public health systems and the wide availability of counterfeit and substandard drugs are key factors in Southeast Asia. Singapore thus faces increased risks of infectious diseases due to its proximity.

Source:

http://www.biospectrumasia.com/Content/141111SGP17469.asp