A recipe for disaster

28 March 2014
The Phnom Penh Post
Economy and commerce / Government / Health care policy and administration / Investment / Ministries and other national bodies / Ministry of Health / Pharmaceuticals / Public health / Social development
Essential Drug Bureau at the Department of Drugs and Food / Ministry of Agriculture / Ministry of Health / Or Oudam Roath / UHS / University of Health Sciences / WHO / World Health Organization

Small plastic packets filled with a mix of pills of various sizes, shapes and colours sit piled on the counter of a pharmacy in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district, home to several large garment factories. At 2,000 riel a pop, about 50 cents, these packs are sold as a cheap remedy for fevers, coughs or any number of ailments from which the young and mostly female workers living nearby suffer. They’re designed to get them back on their feet as quickly as possible. … The World Health Organization has warned that antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which encompasses antibiotic, antiviral and anti-malarial resistance, puts “the achievements of modern medicine” at risk and requires urgent global action. …

 Kevin Ponniah and Sen David
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/recipe-disaster