Combating the problem of drug resistance in parasitic diseases: Public health interventions

ABSTRACT Parasitic diseases continue to remain a public health challenge, with the majority of the cases being reported in tropical and subtropical areas. This brief review aimed to elaborate on the problem of drug resistance in parasitic diseases, to list predisposing factors in drug resistance, and propose targeted public health interventions to combat the problem of drug resistance in parasitic diseases. Drug resistance has been reported among multiple parasitic infections, like malaria, leishmaniasis, and schistosomiasis. The emergence of drug resistance in parasites has been linked to multiple factors. Acknowledging the magnitude of the problem, the health and socioeconomic implications, and the modifiable nature of the predisposing risk factors, there is an indispensable need to adopt a multipronged approach to arrest the rising trends of drug resistance in parasitic infections. In conclusion, drug resistance in parasitic diseases is a significant public health concern and essentially requires multipronged and multi-sectoral interventions to improve the existing scenario.