Antibiotic resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria evolve to resist the effects of antibiotics, making infections harder to treat. It is a global health threat, as it endangers medical procedures, increases mortality, and raises treatment costs.

Causes:

• Overuse: Unnecessary prescriptions for viral infections.

• Misuse: Incomplete antibiotic courses allow survival of resistant strains.

• Agriculture: Use in livestock as growth promoters.

• Poor Sanitation: Enables spread of resistant bacteria.

Consequences:

• Routine infections like UTIs or pneumonia become life-threatening.

• Surgical procedures, chemotherapy, and organ transplants become riskier.

• Higher healthcare burden and prolonged hospital stays.

India’s Situation:

India is one of the largest consumers of antibiotics, often without prescription. Resistance to carbapenems, colistin, and cephalosporins is rising.

Solutions:

• Antibiotic stewardship in hospitals.

• Public awareness campaigns.

• Banning over-the-counter antibiotics.

• One Health approach: Human, animal, and environmental coordination.

India’s National Action Plan on AMR (2017) aligns with the WHO’s Global Action Plan. Surveillance under ICMR-AMRSN monitors resistant strains.