National Action Plan to combat Antimicrobial Resistance

• Health ministry announced the finalisation of India's comprehensive and multi-sectoral National Action Plan based on antimicrobial resistance.
• Important points regarding National Action plan:
• This action plan has the objectives for enhancing awareness, strengthening surveillance, improving rational use of antibiotics, reducing infections and promoting research.
• In addition, India aims to support neighbouring countries in collective fight against infectious diseases
• Health Ministry has taken a lead in this effort at international fora and has initiated series of actions including setting up a National Surveillance System for AMR, enacted regulations (Schedule-H-1) to regulate sale of antibiotics, brought out National Guidelines for use of antibiotics etc.
• All State Governments are encouraged to develop state-specific action plans and assured them of all possible assistance.

What is antimicrobial resistance (AMR)?

• Antimicrobial resistance is resistance of a microorganism to an antimicrobial drug that was originally effective for treatment of infections caused by it.

Analysis:

• AMR is of particular concern in developing nations, including India, where the burden of infectious disease is high and healthcare spending is low. The country has among the highest bacterial disease burden in the world. Antibiotics, therefore, have a critical role in limiting morbidity and mortality in the country.
• A very significant part of out-of-pocket expenditure on health care is on medicines, but longer treatments, with ineffective drugs and/or second line expensive antibiotics is pushing the treatment costs higher. On the other hand, higher priced drug regimens are less likely to be adhered to, which again contributes to the AMR. A very significant part of out-of-pocket expenditure on health care is on medicines, but longer treatments, with ineffective drugs and/or second line expensive antibiotics is pushing the treatment costs higher. On the other hand, higher priced drug regimens are less likely to be adhered to, which again contributes to the AMR.
• An issue that needs to be addressed in India is the regulation of the medical sector, particularly in the prescription of medicines. Lack of knowledge among medical practitioners as well as general public on rational use of antibiotics aggravates the issue.
• Improved management of the health care delivery systems, both public and private, will minimize conditions favourable for the development of drug resistance.
• It is also important to improve efforts to prevent resistant infections by changing how we produce, prescribe and use antibiotics.
   

By: Vishal