Bacterial Resistance: Continuous Threatening in Iraq

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment and increases the clinical and economic burden of bacterial infections. In Iraq, self-medication, non-prescription dispensing, inappropriate prescribing and gaps in stewardship complicate efforts to contain AMR. This narrative review examines published evidence on antibiotic use and bacterial resistance in Iraq, drawing on literature identified through Google Scholar in February 2026. The reviewed publications report inappropriate antibiotic consumption and the occurrence of resistant bacterial pathogens in healthcare settings, while pointing to weaknesses in surveillance and regulatory implementation. An effective response requires coordinated action across human health, animal health and environmental sectors. Priorities include evidence-based prescribing, microbiological testing when indicated, public education, infection prevention and effective enforcement of antimicrobial-use policies. Because a formal systematic search and study-selection protocol was not documented, this narrative synthesis should not be interpreted as a systematic estimate of resistance prevalence.