Information regarding consumption of antibiotics in
India is not being centrally collected. However, irrational uses of antibiotics
including irregular, incomplete and inadequate treatments along with overuse of
antibiotics are known drivers of drug resistance.
In order to strengthen the surveillance of
antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the country, Indian Council of Medical
Research (ICMR) has set up a National Anti-Microbial Resistance Research and Surveillance
Network (AMRRSN) to enable compilation of national data of AMR at different
levels of Health Care.
The Drugs and Cosmetic Rule, 1945 were amended in
2013 to incorporate a new Schedule H1 under the said rules containing 46 drugs
which include III and IV generation antibiotics, anti TB
drugs and certain habit forming drugs for having strict control over the sale
of these drugs. The Drugs falling under Schedule H1 are required to be sold in
the country with the following conditions:-
1. The
supply of a drug specified in Schedule H1 shall be recorded in a separate
register at the time of the supply giving the name and address of the
prescriber, the name of the patient, the name of the drug and the quantity
supplied and such records shall be maintained for three years and be open for
inspection.
2. The
drug specified in Schedule H1 shall be labeled with the symbol Rx which shall
be in red and conspicuously displayed on the left top corner of the label, and
shall also be labeled with the following words in a box with a red border:
|
Schedule
H1 Drug Warning:
-It
is dangerous to take this preparation except in accordance with the medical
advice.
-Not
to be sold by retail without the prescription of a Registered Medical
Practitioner.”
|
Further, the Government of India has formulated a
National policy for containment of antimicrobial resistance in 2011. A National
Programme for Containment of AMR has also been initiated in 12th Five Year Plan
with the following objectives:-
§ To
establish a laboratory based surveillance system by strengthening laboratories
for AMR in the country and to generate quality data on antimicrobial resistance
for pathogens of public health importance.
§ To
generate awareness among healthcare providers and in the community regarding
rational use of antibiotics.
§ To
strengthen infection control guidelines and practices and promote rational use
of antibiotics.
The Health Minister, Shri J P Nadda stated this in a
written reply in the Lok Sabha here today.
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MV/BK