THE ARABIAN PENINSULA ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM: SUCCESSES, CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

The Arabian Peninsula has recently witnessed an increase in antimicrobial resistance, mainly due to the misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics.  The countries that make up the region have collectively adopted the Antibiotic Stewardship Program (ASP) as a component of the healthcare delivery system with the intention of scaling it up to combat the growing issue of antibiotic resistance in the region.  Therefore, this study evaluated the current situation of ASPs in the Arabian Peninsula and provided recommendations for bolstering the defense against antimicrobial resistance.  The available literature demonstrated that countries in the Arabian Peninsula had effectively adopted ASPs to a reasonable degree using practical tactics.  In the region, Saudi Arabia has set a positive example.  Since the Arabian Peninsula has implemented ASP, overall expenses have decreased, drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa has become less common, and broad-spectrum antibiotics such as ceftriaxone have been used less frequently.  However, the Arabian Peninsula has found it challenging to adopt ASPs due to several issues.  Therefore, it is recommended that strategies be put into place for continuous training and education of healthcare professionals and the public, for improved surveillance and monitoring of antibiotic use, and for enforcement of local guidelines and regulations in order to expand the adoption of ASP in the Arabian Peninsula.