Antibiotic misuse has become one of Pakistan’s most pressing public health challenges. Experts warn that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is now responsible for an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 deaths annually across the country. This alarming figure highlights the urgent need for stronger awareness, regulation, and healthcare reforms.

AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites evolve to resist medicines that once worked effectively. As a result, common infections become harder to treat, leading to longer illnesses, higher medical costs, and increased mortality. In Pakistan, the misuse of antibiotics—whether through unnecessary prescriptions, incomplete doses, or self-medication—has accelerated this crisis.

Doctors in major hospitals report a sharp rise in critically ill patients suffering from multidrug-resistant infections, particularly in intensive care units. These infections are often caused by dangerous pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Salmonella typhi. These bacteria pose serious risks in urinary tract infections, pneumonia, typhoid, and post-surgical complications.

Children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are especially vulnerable. For example, bacterial pneumonia following influenza has become more lethal because first-line antibiotics are often ineffective. This delay in proper treatment worsens outcomes and increases the risk of death.

Pakistan’s healthcare system faces additional challenges. Poor infection control practices in hospitals, excessive antibiotic use in livestock and poultry, and weak surveillance systems have all contributed to the rapid spread of resistant bacteria. Studies show that between 40% and 70% of ICU patients in major hospitals are infected with multidrug-resistant organisms, making treatment extremely complex.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains another major concern. Pakistan is among the countries with the highest TB burden, and multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB cases are rising at alarming levels. These patients often require prolonged treatment lasting up to two years, with high risks of treatment failure and mortality.

Experts caution that if current trends continue, antibiotic resistance could become one of the leading causes of death in Pakistan. The World Health Organization estimates that by 2050, AMR could cause up to 10 million deaths annually worldwide. Without urgent action, Pakistan risks being at the forefront of this global health catastrophe.