The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) took center stage at the recent ‘Resist Resistance’ Panel hosted by Strepsils. Held in Malaysia, the session convened leading healthcare professionals and policy experts to spotlight one of the most overlooked contributors to AMR: the misuse of antibiotics for viral sore throats.
The panel featured representatives from the Ministry of Health Malaysia, including Dr. Ho Bee Kiau, Consultant Family Medicine Specialist, and Dr. Rahela Ambaras Khan, Head of the Pharmacotherapy Branch at Hospital Kuala Lumpur. They were joined by medical experts Professor Dr. Baharudin Abdullah (Universiti Sains Malaysia), Dr. Mohazmi Mohamad (University of Malaya), and Dr. Koh Kar Chai (Manipal Alumni Association Malaysia).
When Relief Doesn’t Mean Resistance
Sore throats are among the most common reasons people visit the clinic, but most are caused by viruses, not bacteria. Despite this, many Malaysians still request or expect antibiotics. According to local studies, only 2.8% of sore throat cases in public clinics are bacterial (specifically Group A Streptococcus), yet over 22% of patients still receive antibiotics, most of which are unnecessary.
This disconnect between expectation and evidence puts everyone at risk. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are harder to treat, making even mild infections potentially dangerous. And as these bacteria spread, the effectiveness of life-saving antibiotics diminishes.
The panel emphasized that patient education is critical. People need to understand that not every sore throat needs antibiotics, and in most viral cases, they may do more harm than good.
“We’re seeing treatment failures and drug-resistant infections due to misuse. Empowering patients with the right knowledge is the only way forward,” said Dr. Rahela from Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
In response to this growing issue, the event marked the launch of the Malaysian Multidisciplinary Sore Throat Consensus, a new set of national clinical guidelines developed to help healthcare providers accurately assess and manage sore throat cases.
These guidelines focus on:
Evidence-based diagnosis
Clear criteria for antibiotic use
Encouraging symptom-targeted care over unnecessary prescriptions
Professor Dr. Baharudin, one of the authors of the Consensus, highlighted the practical value of the guidelines: “When applied correctly, these tools help clinicians treat patients effectively while reducing over-reliance on antibiotics.”
The experts agreed that addressing AMR requires more than policy; it requires a cultural shift in how we approach illness.
“Patients often feel uneasy when antibiotics are not prescribed,” said Dr. Mohazmi. “That’s why conversations matter. When people understand why, they’re more open to better alternatives.”
Dr. Koh Kar Chai added, “We must move away from the ‘pill for every ill’ mindset. Public education, backed by clinical guidance, is our best tool to protect the future.”
From policymakers to pharmacists, everyone has a role to play, including patients. Understanding when antibiotics are necessary, and when they’re not can help preserve their effectiveness for generations to come.
Dr. Ho Bee Kiau stressed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to scaling up efforts to curb antibiotic misuse through policy enforcement, national education campaigns, and stronger clinical guidelines.
