Fighting against antimicrobial resistance: focus on improving the efficiency of treatment of respiratory infections in outpatient settings

Increasing antimicrobial resistance, including improper antibiotic use, is a global threat to public health. Reducing prophylactic antibacterial (AB) prescriptions in acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI) and reducing the incidence of bacterial complications in patients at risk of severe ARVI is an urgent medical task. For this purpose, Rafamin can be used, which has antiviral and antibacterial effects. The article provides the preliminary results of a large-scale observational study on Rafamin efficacy and safety in treating acute respiratory viral infections in routine outpatient practice. Rafamin was shown to be effective irrespective of the timing of treatment initiation – with early and delayed treatment initiation. The AB prescription rate was low (0.8%) and did not increase in patients who started taking Rafamin a few days after the onset of the first disease symptoms. The data obtained are promising for treating patients at risk of severe respiratory infection. Rafamin may reduce the rate of improper AB prescribing and antibiotic resistance rate.