Union Health Ministry awareness campaign battles antimicrobial resistance

The survey found that 71.9 percent of the patients received antibiotics.

Of those who were prescribed antibiotics, 54.8 percent received antibiotics for prophylactic indications (surgical prophylaxis 37.3 percent and medical prophylaxis 17.5 percent).

“Indiscreet prescribing of antibiotics is one of the major causes of microbial resistance in the country,” he said.

Also Read: Union govt asks medicos to indicate reason for prescribing antibiotics

Initiatives by Health Ministry

The Union health ministry has initiated several initiatives to promote judicious use of antimicrobials.

The ministry launched the Red Line awareness campaign on antimicrobial resistance, urging people not to use medicines marked with a red vertical line, including antibiotics, without a doctor’s prescription.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has released treatment guidelines for antimicrobial use in common syndromes in which guidelines for the use of antibiotics for viral bronchitis and low-grade fever antibiotics are included in Schedule H and H1 of the Drugs Rules, 1945.

These drugs have specific caution labelling requirements and are sold only under the prescription of a registered medical practitioner.

The supply of a drug specified in Schedule H1 is recorded in a separate register and such records, which are maintained for three years, are open for inspection.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has placed 24 hi-end antimicrobials under schedule H1 by issuing notification, Baghel stated.

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