New law to regulate rampant use of antibiotics

According to report by World Health Organisation (WHO), Koreans have the highest resistance to penicillin, a traditional antibiotic. It is believed this is connected to long term exposure to antibiotics in food.

Until fairly recently, South Koreans were able to purchase antibiotics, for ailments such as mild colds, without a prescription. The implementation of a system separating medical centres from dispensaries is believed to be helping reduce reliance on antibiotics in humans.

But unlimited amounts of antibiotics have still be used in raising chickens, cattle and fish, with an estimated 916 grams of antibiotics used for the production of one tonne of meat on average. This eqyates to about 30 times the amount used in advanced nations, according to concerned authorities.

It is feared that further exposure to antibiotics may increase the already concerning prevalence of immunity to antibiotics in South Korea. There has also been an increase in tuberculosis and other infectious diseases in recent times. It is hoped that the proposed new legislation will restrict the use of antibiotics in animal raising, and also increase awareness of the problem in the community.

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