Regulating antimicrobial resistance in the environment: analysis of Thailand legal framework and areas for reinforcement
Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global health issue, exacerbated by extensive antimicrobial use across human, animal, and plant sectors. The environment plays a crucial role in AMR emergence and spread due to the contamination from resistant bacteria, resistance genes, and a...
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| Format: | Article |
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Science in One Health |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949704325000071 |
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| author | Angkana Lekagul Saowapa Khotchalai Wanwisa Kaewkhankhaeng Mary Gordoncillo Fuangfa Utrarachkij Viroj Tangcharoensathien |
| author_facet | Angkana Lekagul Saowapa Khotchalai Wanwisa Kaewkhankhaeng Mary Gordoncillo Fuangfa Utrarachkij Viroj Tangcharoensathien |
| author_sort | Angkana Lekagul |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global health issue, exacerbated by extensive antimicrobial use across human, animal, and plant sectors. The environment plays a crucial role in AMR emergence and spread due to the contamination from resistant bacteria, resistance genes, and antimicrobial residues from various sources. In Thailand, the regulatory framework that can reinforce AMR mitigation in environmental settings remains underdeveloped. This study aims to analyse the existing regulatory framework for environmental AMR control by identifying regulatory gaps and assessing the challenges of implementing these regulations. Methods: A qualitative approach was employed, combining a literature review and semi-structured interviews with 28 key informants from diverse regulatory sectors, including the ministries of health, agriculture, and environment. This included multi-level stakeholders at national, provincial, and local levels, as well as selected farmers. Content analysis of interview transcripts and regulatory documents was performed to triangulate findings on regulatory gaps and implementation barriers. Results: The study identified five regulatory categories governing water contamination across settings: rivers/canals, hospital wastewater, household wastewater, industrial waste (including pharmaceuticals), and animal farms. While the regulatory frameworks guide pollution standards, regulations lack provisions specific to AMR, highlighting a significant gap in AMR oversight and data on AMR pathogens in environmental wastewater. Key barriers include insufficient incorporation of AMR indicators in routine monitoring, limited enforcement, and inadequate technical and budgetary support. Conclusion: Thailand's current environmental AMR framework lacks comprehensive AMR-specific regulations and robust enforcement mechanisms. Addressing these gaps requires multi-sectoral coordination, enhanced funding, and capacity-building initiatives. By prioritizing indicator development and establishing AMR-focused policies, Thailand can enhance its environmental AMR control measures and contribute to global AMR mitigation efforts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0703816317b7443c8b6f6e99815e2c3f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2949-7043 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Science in One Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-0703816317b7443c8b6f6e99815e2c3f2025-08-20T03:08:56ZengElsevierScience in One Health2949-70432025-01-01410011010.1016/j.soh.2025.100110Regulating antimicrobial resistance in the environment: analysis of Thailand legal framework and areas for reinforcementAngkana Lekagul0Saowapa Khotchalai1Wanwisa Kaewkhankhaeng2Mary Gordoncillo3Fuangfa Utrarachkij4Viroj Tangcharoensathien5International Health Policy Programme Foundation, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand; Corresponding author.International Health Policy Programme Foundation, Nonthaburi 11000, ThailandInternational Health Policy Programme Foundation, Nonthaburi 11000, ThailandFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok 10200, ThailandDepartment of Microbiology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, ThailandInternational Health Policy Programme Foundation, Nonthaburi 11000, ThailandBackground: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global health issue, exacerbated by extensive antimicrobial use across human, animal, and plant sectors. The environment plays a crucial role in AMR emergence and spread due to the contamination from resistant bacteria, resistance genes, and antimicrobial residues from various sources. In Thailand, the regulatory framework that can reinforce AMR mitigation in environmental settings remains underdeveloped. This study aims to analyse the existing regulatory framework for environmental AMR control by identifying regulatory gaps and assessing the challenges of implementing these regulations. Methods: A qualitative approach was employed, combining a literature review and semi-structured interviews with 28 key informants from diverse regulatory sectors, including the ministries of health, agriculture, and environment. This included multi-level stakeholders at national, provincial, and local levels, as well as selected farmers. Content analysis of interview transcripts and regulatory documents was performed to triangulate findings on regulatory gaps and implementation barriers. Results: The study identified five regulatory categories governing water contamination across settings: rivers/canals, hospital wastewater, household wastewater, industrial waste (including pharmaceuticals), and animal farms. While the regulatory frameworks guide pollution standards, regulations lack provisions specific to AMR, highlighting a significant gap in AMR oversight and data on AMR pathogens in environmental wastewater. Key barriers include insufficient incorporation of AMR indicators in routine monitoring, limited enforcement, and inadequate technical and budgetary support. Conclusion: Thailand's current environmental AMR framework lacks comprehensive AMR-specific regulations and robust enforcement mechanisms. Addressing these gaps requires multi-sectoral coordination, enhanced funding, and capacity-building initiatives. By prioritizing indicator development and establishing AMR-focused policies, Thailand can enhance its environmental AMR control measures and contribute to global AMR mitigation efforts.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949704325000071Antimicrobial resistanceRegulationLegal frameworkEnvironmentThailand |
| spellingShingle | Angkana Lekagul Saowapa Khotchalai Wanwisa Kaewkhankhaeng Mary Gordoncillo Fuangfa Utrarachkij Viroj Tangcharoensathien Regulating antimicrobial resistance in the environment: analysis of Thailand legal framework and areas for reinforcement Science in One Health Antimicrobial resistance Regulation Legal framework Environment Thailand |
| title | Regulating antimicrobial resistance in the environment: analysis of Thailand legal framework and areas for reinforcement |
| title_full | Regulating antimicrobial resistance in the environment: analysis of Thailand legal framework and areas for reinforcement |
| title_fullStr | Regulating antimicrobial resistance in the environment: analysis of Thailand legal framework and areas for reinforcement |
| title_full_unstemmed | Regulating antimicrobial resistance in the environment: analysis of Thailand legal framework and areas for reinforcement |
| title_short | Regulating antimicrobial resistance in the environment: analysis of Thailand legal framework and areas for reinforcement |
| title_sort | regulating antimicrobial resistance in the environment analysis of thailand legal framework and areas for reinforcement |
| topic | Antimicrobial resistance Regulation Legal framework Environment Thailand |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949704325000071 |
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