Perspective- Drug-Resistant Microbes | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

Research conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) indicates a concerning trend: disease-causing microbes are increasingly exhibiting resistance to antibiotics due to widespread drug usage. This poses a significant threat as infections caused by drug-resistant microbes may become extremely challenging for medical professionals to treat effectively. The ICMR study reveals alarming rates of resistance among patients to carbapenem, a potent antibiotic commonly used to combat pneumonia and septicemia. This phenomenon, termed antimicrobial resistance, underscores the urgent need for action to address this growing public health concern in India.

Antibiotics

• Antibiotics are a crucial class of antimicrobial substances designed to combat bacterial infections effectively. They are widely utilized in both the treatment and prevention of such infections, working to either eradicate bacteria or impede their growth. 
• Notably, antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections like the common cold or influenza; antiviral drugs are specifically designed to target viruses. However, the overuse and misuse of antibiotics contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance, where bacteria evolve mechanisms to evade the effects of antibiotics, rendering them less effective over time.

Key findings

• India ranks among the top users of antibiotics globally, with the private sector exhibiting particularly high rates of antibiotic prescription.
• Children aged 0–4 years demonstrate the highest antibiotic prescription rates (636 per 1,000 persons), while the lowest rates are observed in the age group 10–19 years (280 per 1,000 persons).
• Per-capita antibiotic consumption in the retail sector has surged by approximately 22% over a five-year period from 2012 to 2016.

Concerns

• Antibiotic resistance poses a significant global health risk and is projected to cause 50 million deaths by 2050.
• This threat is exacerbated by the inappropriate use of antibiotics, including their misuse for viral infections or the use of overly broad-spectrum antibiotics.
• Moreover, limited access to effective and appropriate antibiotics in many low- and middle-income countries contributes to childhood mortality rates. Additionally, insufficient funding and the lack of implementation of national plans to address antimicrobial resistance further compound the issue.

Way forward

Poultry:

• Cease the use of antibiotics for growth enhancement and broad-scale disease prevention in poultry farming. Reserve antibiotic administration solely for therapeutic purposes, guided by veterinary prescriptions.
• Streamlining antibiotic usage to mitigate antibiotic resistance within India.
• Enhance oversight of drug manufacturing and distribution to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Prioritize initiatives aimed at fostering behavioral changes among healthcare providers and patients.
• Enhance oversight of the medical sector, particularly regarding the prescription of medications.
• Enhance the management of healthcare delivery systems, both public and private, to mitigate conditions conducive to antibiotic resistance development.
• Raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance through effective communication strategies.
• Reduce infection rates through robust infection prevention and control measures, aligning with the World Health Organization's recommendation to prioritize infection prevention and hand hygiene as national policy objectives.
• Dissuade the non-therapeutic application of antimicrobial agents in veterinary, agricultural, and fishery settings for growth promotion purposes.
• Facilitate investments in antimicrobial resistance initiatives, research endeavors, and innovative solutions.
• Strengthen India's dedication to and collaborations on antimicrobial resistance at international, national, and sub-national levels.
• Regulate the discharge of antibiotic waste from pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities and monitor antibiotic residues in wastewater.