{"id":371304,"date":"2026-09-08T17:43:47","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T12:13:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=371304"},"modified":"2026-09-08T17:44:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T12:14:51","slug":"antimicrobial-resistance-amr-in-india-explained-pointwise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/antimicrobial-resistance-amr-in-india-explained-pointwise\/","title":{"rendered":"Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in India &#8211; Explained Pointwise"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-371321\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Gemini_Generated_Image_dvzlkmdvzlkmdvzl.png?resize=750%2C409&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Antimicrobial resistance in India\" width=\"750\" height=\"409\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Gemini_Generated_Image_dvzlkmdvzlkmdvzl.png?resize=1024%2C559&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Gemini_Generated_Image_dvzlkmdvzlkmdvzl.png?resize=300%2C164&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Gemini_Generated_Image_dvzlkmdvzlkmdvzl.png?resize=768%2C419&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Gemini_Generated_Image_dvzlkmdvzlkmdvzl.png?w=1408&amp;ssl=1 1408w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A recent major study of hospitalised patients across India has found that infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria are more likely to be fatal and more expensive to treat than infections caused by drug-susceptible strains. Conducted by the ICMR\u2019s AMR Surveillance Network across 20 tertiary-care hospitals, the study analysed data from nearly 1.6 lakh patients.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.5884%; border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%; text-align: center;\"><strong>Table of Contents<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><a href=\"#toc1\">What is Antimicrobial Resistance? What are the different kinds of antimicrobial resistance?<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h1\">What is the extent of AMR in India according to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Report on AMR?<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#toc2\">What are the reasons behind the growth of Antimicrobial resistance in India?<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#toc3\">What are the challenges posed by spread of Antimicrobial Resistance?<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#toc4\">What steps have been taken to control AMR?<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#toc5\">What measures should be adopted to effectively combat &amp; reduce AMR?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"blue-h2-box\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a id=\"toc1\"><\/a>What is Antimicrobial Resistance? What are the different kinds of Antimicrobial Resistance?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is the resistance of microorganisms (bacteria, virus, parasites and fungi) to an antimicrobial agent\u00a0(antibiotics, fungicides, antiviral agents and parasiticides), to which they were first sensitive.<\/li>\n<li>As a result of AMR, standard treatments become ineffective, and infections can persist, potentially spreading to others.<\/li>\n<li>WHO declared AMR one of the top 10 global public health threats.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Types of Antimicrobial Resistance:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #eef089;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 12.0266%;\">Based on<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 87.9734%;\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 12.0266%;\"><strong>Target Pathogen<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 87.9734%;\">\n<ol>\n<li><b data-path-to-node=\"4,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Antibacterial Resistance (Antibiotic Resistance):<\/b> Bacteria develop defenses against antibiotics (e.g., MRSA, drug-resistant <i data-path-to-node=\"4,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"124\">E. coli<\/i>).<\/li>\n<li><b data-path-to-node=\"4,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Antiviral Resistance:<\/b> Viruses adapt to resist antiviral medications (e.g., drug-resistant HIV or Influenza strains).<\/li>\n<li><b data-path-to-node=\"4,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Antifungal Resistance:<\/b> Fungi become resistant to antifungal treatments (e.g., drug-resistant <i data-path-to-node=\"4,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"93\">Candida auris<\/i>).<\/li>\n<li><b data-path-to-node=\"4,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Antiparasitic Resistance:<\/b> Parasites survive antiparasitic drugs (e.g., chloroquine-resistant <i data-path-to-node=\"4,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"93\">Plasmodium falciparum<\/i>, which causes malaria).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 12.0266%;\"><strong>Origin &amp; Transmission<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 87.9734%;\">\n<ol>\n<li><b data-path-to-node=\"7,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Intrinsic (Natural) Resistance:<\/b> Natural resistance is caused by the structural characteristics of microbes. It is not associated with the use of antimicrobials. It has no hereditary property (e.g. a bacterium&#8217;s outer membrane naturally blocking a specific drug).<\/li>\n<li><b data-path-to-node=\"7,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Acquired Resistance:<\/b> Acquired resistance develops due to the changes in the genetic characteristics of microbes, like changes in structures of chromosomes. This makes the microbes resistant to previous antimicrobial treatment.<\/li>\n<li><b data-path-to-node=\"7,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Cross-Resistance:<\/b> Resistance developed in microbes against antibiotics having similar structure.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 12.0266%;\"><strong>Clinical Severity<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 87.9734%;\">\n<ol>\n<li><b data-path-to-node=\"10,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Multidrug-Resistant (MDR):<\/b> Microbes resistant to at least one agent in three or more antimicrobial categories.<\/li>\n<li><b data-path-to-node=\"10,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Extensively Drug-Resistant (XDR):<\/b> Microbes resistant to almost all approved antimicrobial agents, leaving only one or two treatment options.<\/li>\n<li><b data-path-to-node=\"10,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Pandrug-Resistant (PDR):<\/b> &#8220;Superbugs&#8221; resistant to all available antimicrobial agents across all categories.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"blue-h2-box\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a id=\"h1\"><\/a>What is the extent of AMR in India according to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Report on AMR?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Bacteria like <strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">E. coli<\/span>, <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Klebsiella<\/span>, <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Acinetobacter<\/span>, <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Staphylococcus<\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">aureus<\/span>, <\/strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>enterococcus\u00a0<\/strong><span style=\"color: #333333;\">have become resistant to even the latest generation of antibiotics.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #333333;\">Third-generation antimicrobial drugs like <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>cephalosporins, imidazoles, amino-glycosides, ceftriaxone, metronidazole, amikacin<\/strong><\/span> and <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>piperacillin<\/strong><\/span>, used to treat cold, fever, skin diseases and urinary tract infection have become ineffective.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>E. coli<\/strong>\u00a0showed over 80% resistance to ampicillin and more than 70% resistance to the third-generation cephalosporin cefotaxime.<\/li>\n<li><strong>MRSA (methicillin-resistant <em>Staphylococcus aureus<\/em>)<\/strong> prevalence stood at a national average of 47.8%, but reached as high as 65% in states such as Bihar, where weaker healthcare infrastructure compounds the problem.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #333333;\">Inappropriate use of antibiotics in human, animal and agricultural sectors has generated superbugs that are resistant to these antibiotic drugs, which spread due to inadequate sanitation and improper infection prevention in healthcare.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 class=\"blue-h2-box\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;\"><a id=\"toc2\"><\/a>What are the reasons behind the growth of Antimicrobial Resistance in India?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Misuse of antimicrobial medicines: <\/strong>The use of antibiotic medicine in non-bacterial infections, use of over-the-counter antibiotics, self-medication and emergence of fixed drug compositions, have contributed to the increase in antimicrobial resistance in India. <strong>For e.g.<\/strong>\u00a0Overuse of antimicrobial medicines during the Covid-19 outbreak.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Inadequate laboratory facilities:<\/strong>\u00a0India lacks severely in the laboratory network and capacity to support Clinicians\/Doctors with the bacterial culture test and suggesting an appropriate antibiotic.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Lack of trained healthcare personnel:<\/strong> There is lack of adequate training of healthcare personnel in antibiotic selection, escalation, and de-escalation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Inadequacy of healthcare facilities: <\/strong>Overcrowded hospitals have left very little time for the doctors to examine patient&#8217;s medical history, conduct proper blood tests and then recommend proper antimicrobial treatment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Inappropriate use of antimicrobials in agriculture and allied sectors:<\/strong>\u00a0The overuse of antimicrobials in agriculture and allied sector have led to increase in AMR. <strong>For e.g. <\/strong>Use of Colistin as growth promotional agent in poultry farming has led to Colistin AMR in India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Inadequate monitoring:<\/strong>\u00a0India lacks proper monitoring system to control the antibiotic prescription and dispensing practice by health system. <strong>For e.g.<\/strong>\u00a0Ineffective monitoring to stop the sale of over the counter antibiotics.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Self-Medication:<\/b> Patients often take leftover antibiotics or stop their prescribed courses early when symptoms improve, leaving surviving, resistant bacteria to multiply.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span class=\"\">Patient Non-Compliance:<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"\"> When patients don&#8217;t complete their full course of antibiotics, the infection isn&#8217;t fully cleared, and the surviving bacteria are more likely to develop resistance.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Crony capitalism:<\/strong> The pharmaceutical industry incentivises the sale of antibiotics by being hand in gloves with the healthcare personnel like doctors, pharmacists etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Contamination around pharmaceutical manufacturing sites:<\/strong>\u00a0The untreated waste from the pharmaceutical industries releases large amounts of active antimicrobials into the environment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Inadequate sanitation facilities:<\/strong>\u00a0Poorly functioning sanitation systems like open defecation, poorly contained septic tanks have led to increase in AMR.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Improper infection prevention in healthcare institutions:<\/strong>\u00a0AMR has also spread due to the lack of proper infection prevention mechanism in hospitals, clinics and laboratories. <strong>For e.g.<\/strong>\u00a0<a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/what-is-deadly-candida-auris-and-what-are-the-symptoms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Candida auris<\/a> acquired by hospital patients.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>No new antimicrobial developments:<\/strong>\u00a0The exit of big pharma from antibiotic development and lack of investment from venture capitalists to support the commercial viability of antibacterial agents, has pushed AMR into a global health crisis.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 class=\"blue-h2-box\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a id=\"toc3\" style=\"color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;\"><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;\">What are the challenges posed by spread of Antimicrobial Resistance?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Threat to the healthcare system:<\/strong> The antimicrobials helped in significantly reducing the mortality rates in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) of Asia and Africa. The ineffectiveness would impair the modern health system by failing to prevent infections post a routine surgery or cancer treatment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Loss of Human Lives:<\/strong> Drug-resistant infections can lead to severe complications and deaths, particularly among ICU patients, newborns, elderly people and immunocompromised patients. AMR is responsible for up to 7 lakh deaths a year (GRAM Project Report). <strong>For e.g.<\/strong>\u00a0E.coli and MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) are among the drug-resistant bacteria that lead to most deaths.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Economic Brunt:<\/strong> <span class=\"\">Prolonged illness and disability keep working-age adults out of the workforce. The World Bank estimates that by 2050, AMR could cause a\u00a0<\/span><strong><span class=\"\">3.8% reduction in global GDP<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"\">, pushing up to 28 million people into poverty, with developing nations hit the hardest. <\/span>As per an estimate by the Global Research on Antimicrobial resistance (GRAM) project, AMR can lead to an economic brunt on the world economy to the tune of US $1 trillion by 2050.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Threat to Food Security<\/strong>: AMR in livestock, poultry and aquaculture can affect animal health and productivity and facilitate transmission of resistant organisms through the food chain, making AMR a major <strong data-start=\"2552\" data-end=\"2566\">One Health<\/strong> challenge.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Inequality in Healthcare<\/strong>: Poorer populations are particularly vulnerable because they may face limited access to diagnostics, quality medicines and specialist care, while resistant infections impose higher treatment costs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Looming possibility of next pandemic:<\/strong>\u00a0There is a looming possibility that the next pandemic will be caused by a superbug. <strong>For e.g.<\/strong>\u00a0Concerns about the spread of C. Auris superbug.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 class=\"blue-h2-box\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a id=\"toc4\"><\/a>What steps have been taken to control AMR?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Domestic Steps and Actions:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f1f7be; height: 390px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 90px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 23.5113%; height: 90px;\"><strong>Ban of antimicrobial usage in Agriculture<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 76.4887%; height: 90px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Government of India has passed an order banning the use of <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>streptomycin<\/strong> <\/span>and <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>tetracycline<\/strong> <\/span>in agriculture and the growth promotional use of <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>colistin<\/strong> <\/span>in poultry farming.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 90px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 23.5113%; height: 90px;\"><strong>National Programme on AMR Containment<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 76.4887%; height: 90px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It was launched during 12th FYP in 2012-17. Under this programme, AMR Surveillance Network has been strengthened by establishing labs in State Medical Colleges.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 23.5113%;\"><strong>National Action Plan on AMR (NAP-AMR)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 76.4887%;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Launched in <strong data-start=\"316\" data-end=\"324\">2017<\/strong>, it focuses on awareness, surveillance, infection prevention, rational antimicrobial use, research and international collaboration.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 23.5113%;\"><strong>National AMR Surveillance Network (NARS-Net)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 76.4887%;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">NCDC has established a laboratory-based surveillance network to monitor resistance patterns and generate evidence for treatment and policy decisions.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 60px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 23.5113%; height: 60px;\"><strong>Delhi Declaration on AMR<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 76.4887%; height: 60px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">An inter-ministerial consensus was signed by the ministers of the concerned ministries pledging their support in AMR containment.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 90px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 23.5113%; height: 90px;\"><strong>Chennai Declaration<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 76.4887%; height: 90px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">New <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>H1 rule<\/strong><\/span> was introduced which banned the use of only second and third-line antibiotics. (H1 rule was brought out to regulate over-the-counter use of antibiotics).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 60px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 23.5113%; height: 60px;\"><strong>Red Line campaign<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 76.4887%; height: 60px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To prevent irrational use of prescription-only antibiotics and create awareness on the dangers of taking antibiotics without prescription.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 23.5113%;\"><strong><span class=\"\">Antimicrobial Resistance Strategic Action Plan (KARSAP)<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 76.4887%;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"\">Kerala&#8217;s state-level\u00a0<\/span><strong><span class=\"\">Antimicrobial Resistance Strategic Action Plan (KARSAP)<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"\"> serves as a successful model for integrating AMR management into a healthcare system using a &#8220;One Health&#8221; approach.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Global Steps and Actions:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<table style=\"height: 270px; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #fad7d7;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 120px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 23.8193%; height: 120px;\"><strong>WHO&#8217;s Global Action Plan (GAP) on AMR (2015)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 76.1807%; height: 120px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">WHO launched this comprehensive global action plan to reduce the incidence of AMR by improving awareness and understanding about AMR, optimisation of antimicrobial usage and initiating effective sanitation and hygiene.<br \/>\nAdopted globally with five major objectives: <strong data-start=\"2554\" data-end=\"2670\">awareness, surveillance\/research, infection prevention, responsible antimicrobial use and sustainable investment.\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 120px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 23.8193%; height: 120px;\"><strong>Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 76.1807%; height: 120px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">WHO established <strong data-start=\"2807\" data-end=\"2816\">GLASS<\/strong> to enable countries to systematically collect and share comparable data on AMR and antimicrobial consumption.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 23.8193%;\"><strong>WHO AWaRe Classification<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 76.1807%;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"citation-489\">Antibiotics are categorized into three groups: <\/span><b data-path-to-node=\"3,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"72\"><span class=\"citation-489\">Access<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-489\"> (first\/second choice), <\/span><b data-path-to-node=\"3,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"102\"><span class=\"citation-489\">Watch<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-489\"> (higher resistance potential), and <\/span><b data-path-to-node=\"3,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"143\"><span class=\"citation-489\">Reserve<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-489 citation-end-489\"> (last-resort options) &#8211; to guide rational prescription practices globally.<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 30px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 23.8193%; height: 30px;\"><strong>One Health Approach<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 76.1807%; height: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A joint alliance formed by the <strong>WHO<\/strong>, the Food and Agriculture Organization (<strong>FAO<\/strong>), the World Organisation for Animal Health (<strong>WOAH<\/strong>), and the UN Environment Programme (<strong>UNEP<\/strong>) to drive cross-sector action on human, animal, and environmental fronts.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"blue-h2-box\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a id=\"toc5\"><\/a>What measures should be adopted to effectively combat &amp; reduce AMR?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>AMR is a complex socio-economic and political challenge and not just a scientific issue to be solved by doctors and researchers alone.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Promote Antimicrobial Stewardship<\/strong>: Ensure antibiotics are prescribed only when necessary, using the right drug, dose and duration. Strengthen hospital antimicrobial-stewardship committees, prescription audits and standard treatment guidelines among healthcare professionals to prevent misuse and resistance.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Strengthen AMR Surveillance<\/strong>: Expand <strong data-start=\"790\" data-end=\"802\">NARS-Net<\/strong> and antimicrobial-consumption surveillance across India and data from humans, animals, food and the environment under a One Health surveillance system. For e.g. NCDC\u2019s surveillance of <em data-start=\"150\" data-end=\"159\">E. coli<\/em>, <em data-start=\"161\" data-end=\"173\">Klebsiella<\/em> and MRSA helps track resistance trends and guide treatment policies.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Regulate Antimicrobial Use in Animals &amp; Agriculture<\/strong>: Restrict non-essential antimicrobial use in livestock, poultry and aquaculture. Strengthen veterinary prescription systems and surveillance of antimicrobial consumption in agriculture.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Improvement of Sanitation and Hygiene:<\/strong>\u00a0The<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> sanitation in hospitals and basic access to personal hygiene must be improved to reduce the spread of AMR. Improving Clean <b data-path-to-node=\"6,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"34\">W<\/b>ater, <b data-path-to-node=\"6,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"41\">A<\/b>dequate <b data-path-to-node=\"6,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"50\">S<\/b>anitation, and <b data-path-to-node=\"6,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"66\">H<\/b>ygiene infrastructure in low- and middle-income communities cuts off sewage-to-waterway transmission routes.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Implementation of the Chennai Declaration on AMR: <\/strong>The new H1 rule which banned the use of only second and third-line antibiotic must be implemented at the earliest to prevent the over-the-counter sales of antibiotics.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Investment in Public Health infrastructure:<\/strong>\u00a0The investment in public health infrastructure like network of laboratories, hospitals, recruitment of trained medical professionals must be enhanced at the earliest. <strong>For e.g.<\/strong>\u00a0NCCD reports points out that states with good public health systems have lower AMR.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Improving governance and monitoring framework:<\/strong>\u00a0Environmental governance, planning and regulatory frameworks must be enhanced to combat the menace of AMR. <strong>For e.g. <\/strong>Involve the Ministry of environment to stop the contamination of antimicrobials.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>One Health Approach:<\/strong> Any actions on AMR must be guided by the &#8216;One Health Approach&#8217;- a holistic approach that links the health of humans with our shared environment. Create stronger coordination among MoHFW, NCDC, ICMR, ICAR, FSSAI, environmental authorities and veterinary institutions, with shared data and accountability.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Robust investment in R&amp;D of new antibiotics:<\/strong> Develop new antibiotics, antifungals, vaccines, diagnostics and alternative therapies. Support genomic surveillance and research into AMR transmission pathways.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Awareness Generation on AMR:<\/strong> Discourage self-medication and incomplete courses. Expand AMR awareness among doctors, pharmacists, farmers, veterinarians and the public. Peru\u2019s efforts on patient education to reduce unnecessary antibiotic pres<\/span>criptions must be used as a learning point.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Conclusion:<\/strong> The development of resistance to antimicrobials is a major public health problem all over the world. It makes even minor infections tough to treat, causing severe illnesses and deaths. Hence, a clarion call to end this menace must be taken at local, national and global levels that would eventually help in attainment of <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>SDG 3<\/strong> <span style=\"color: #333333;\">(<\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #333333;\">ensuring good health and well-being for all).<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\">Read More: <a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/health-wellness\/icmr-study-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-carbapenem-mortality-treatment-cost-10858574\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian Express<\/a><br \/>\nUPSC Syllabus: GS 3- Science and Technology (Healthcare and emerging concerns)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<figure id=\"attachment_277570\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-277570\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-277570 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/3-Coloum-Paragraph-Mind-Map-300-x-297-mm-25.png?resize=750%2C743&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Increasing Antimicrobial Resistance in India\" width=\"750\" height=\"743\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/3-Coloum-Paragraph-Mind-Map-300-x-297-mm-25.png?resize=1024%2C1014&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/3-Coloum-Paragraph-Mind-Map-300-x-297-mm-25.png?resize=300%2C297&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/3-Coloum-Paragraph-Mind-Map-300-x-297-mm-25.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/3-Coloum-Paragraph-Mind-Map-300-x-297-mm-25.png?resize=768%2C760&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/3-Coloum-Paragraph-Mind-Map-300-x-297-mm-25.png?resize=1536%2C1521&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/3-Coloum-Paragraph-Mind-Map-300-x-297-mm-25.png?resize=1568%2C1552&amp;ssl=1 1568w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/3-Coloum-Paragraph-Mind-Map-300-x-297-mm-25.png?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-277570\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Created by Forum IAS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; A recent major study of hospitalised patients across India has found that infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria are more likely to be fatal and more expensive to treat than infections caused by drug-susceptible strains. Conducted by the ICMR\u2019s AMR Surveillance Network across 20 tertiary-care hospitals, the study analysed data from nearly 1.6 lakh patients.&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/antimicrobial-resistance-amr-in-india-explained-pointwise\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in India &#8211; Explained Pointwise<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10391,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[130],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-371304","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-7-pm","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/371304","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10391"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=371304"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/371304\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=371304"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=371304"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=371304"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}