MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Gordon (By Request), Huggins

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE NEED TO INFORM MEDICAL PROVIDERS OF THE MEANS TO COMBAT ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE, AND URGING THE CARE PROVIDERS TO ADOPT THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL GUIDELINES.

WHEREAS, antibiotic-resistant infections are more likely to produce adverse health outcomes and are more costly to treat than susceptible infections; and

WHEREAS, the widespread use of antibiotics has increased the type and incidence of bacteria that are resistant to treatment by antibiotics; and

WHEREAS, antibiotic resistance is caused by the overuse of antibiotics in general, with overuse of selected agents in particular; and

WHEREAS, over the past five years the rate of penicillin resistance increased by more than 300% and the rate of cefotaxime resistance increased by more than 1,000%; and

WHEREAS, patients infected with antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria can require hospitalization when otherwise unnecessary and be subject to an increased rate of death; and

WHEREAS, the process of creating antibiotic-resistance increases pharmaceutical costs through inappropriate prescribing of antibiotic agents and increases total healthcare costs the additional hospitalization and other forms of additional medical care required in the treatment of resistant strains of bacteria; and

WHEREAS, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have developed recommendations for health care professionals regarding best practices for the judicious use of antibiotics:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That the State of Mississippi endorses the CDC/AAP recommendations and urges each health care professional and managed care plan operating in Mississippi to adopt the recommendations in their practice and formularies.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the State Health Officer for appropriate action and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.