Kochi (Kerala) [India], December 29 : Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, Convener of the Research Cell of the Kerala State Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Chairman of the Scientific Committee, IMA Cochin, on Sunday warned that the misuse of antibiotics is fueling a global health crisis - antimicrobial resistance.
Speaking with ANI, Jayadevan, a leading expert, warned that antibiotics are losing their effectiveness against dangerous bacteria due to overuse, making infections harder to treat. He pointed out that the primary reason behind this growing problem is the overuse and inappropriate consumption of antibiotics.
"Antimicrobial resistance is a serious problem affecting the entire world. This is a situation in which antibiotics no longer work against dangerous bacteria. The reason is the overuse of antibiotics. Especially in India, some individuals go directly to medical stores and buy antibiotics, just like they would buy fruits and vegetables. This is not acceptable in any developed country," said Jayadevan.
In India, the lack of regulation allows people to buy antibiotics over the counter, unlike in developed countries, where prescriptions are mandatory. Jayadevan urged immediate action: stop over-the-counter sales and make a doctor's prescription mandatory.
"Antibiotics should be dispensed only with a doctor's prescription after evaluation of the patient. If people start buying and using antibiotics on their own, bacteria will become resistant to them. Bacteria develop mechanisms to resist antibiotics. So the antibiotics no longer work...," he said.
The consequences are dire: prolonged illnesses, increased healthcare costs, and untreatable infections. The solution lies in responsible antibiotic use and stricter regulations.
"To reduce this problem, the overuse of antibiotics has to be immediately stopped. One way to do it is to stop allowing the sale of antibiotics without a doctor's prescription. This is the standard of care in all developed countries," added Jayadevan.
This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned against the misuse of antibiotics, citing a recent Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report that shows antibiotics are becoming ineffective against diseases like pneumonia and urinary tract infections.
He emphasised that antibiotics should be used only under a doctor's guidance, as their overuse drives antimicrobial resistance.
In his monthly radio address, Mann Ki Baat, on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a strong warning regarding the indiscriminate use of antibiotics. He emphasised that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is becoming one of India's most serious public health challenges.
Citing a report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the PM noted that antibiotics are becoming increasingly ineffective against common infections like pneumonia and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
PM Modi stressed that people often mistakenly believe taking a pill can cure all health issues, but this mindset is making diseases more challenging to treat. He urged citizens to avoid self-medication and consult doctors before taking antibiotics.
He cautioned against the belief that "one pill can cure everything," stating that taking antibiotics without proper medical guidance makes infections stronger and more challenging to treat.
He urged citizens to strictly avoid self-medication and follow a simple mantra: "Medicines require guidance, and antibiotics require doctors".
The National Medical Commission (NMC) supports pm Modi's stance, advocating for responsible antibiotic use and stricter regulations to prevent over-the-counter sales without prescriptions.