– Dr.HuZ Khorakiwala reflects own creed
How do you envision integrating your pharmaceutical expertise at Wockhardt with your philanthropic work in health and education to address public health challenges like Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?
At Wockhardt, our deep understanding of the AMR landscape in India positions us uniquely to address public health challenges. We plan to share our insights into contemporary antibiotic resistance mechanisms, particularly relevant to India, with the broader community of infectious disease specialists. Recognizing that pathogens and resistance mechanisms vary between hospital and community settings is crucial. This understanding helps doctors choose appropriate treatments, allowing them to prescribe the right antibiotics for outpatients and hospitalized patients. Such tailored approaches not only lead to better treatment outcomes but also reduce the risk of ineffective drug exposure. Additionally, this strategy optimizes therapy costs and minimizes side effects from inappropriate antibiotic regimens.
With your extensive experience in both corporate and non-profit sectors, what strategies do you recommend for effective collaboration in combating global health issues like AMR?
Effective collaboration in the health-care sector, especially in India, requires ensuring improved access to essential drugs. Wockhardt could play a pivotal role in guiding such initiatives by recommending appropriate therapeutic approaches and facilitating access to drugs, particularly those related to AMR and diabetes management. Given the high prevalence of diabetes in India and its role in increasing vulnerability to various infections, an integrated approach to manage both conditions is critical for saving lives and enhancing health care across society.
Considering your leadership in ‘The World Peacekeepers Movement’ and its focus on core human values, how can these principles be applied to the global effort against AMR?
Although awareness of AMR has been present among policymakers for over a decade, the realization that the current intensity of the AMR problem has surpassed the effectiveness of traditional infection control and antibiotic stewardship is lacking. The core action required now is the availability of 6-8 novel antibiotics that can provide safe and effective therapy for a range of infections in community, hospital wards, and ICU settings. Focused, long-term resource support for antibiotic research, enabling the discovery and development of new antibiotics continuously, should be an integral part of global efforts against AMR.
