While the policy decisions seems to gain steam, the implementation matters in the longer run. The increase in awareness levels among consumers, better healthcare delivery system and allocation of enough funds for concerned authorities are few of the immediate keys.
launched a programme on Antimicrobial Stewardship, Prevention of Infection and Control( ASPIC) in 2012. Functional infection control programmes not only cut down the rates of nosocomial infections, but also reduce the volume of antibiotic consumption and are a critical part of any comprehensive strategy to contain AMR.
Further, a red line campaign has been launched to regulate over the counter sale of Schedule H antibiotics. Health Ministry says it has set 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. The campaign is aimed at discouraging unnecessary prescription and over-thecounter sale of antibiotics causing drug resistance for several critical diseases including TB, malaria, urinary tract infection and even HIV.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also launched a programme named‘ National Programme on Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance’ to address the problem of growing AMR.
“ AMR is a serious threat to global public health that requires action across all government sectors and society and is driven by
16 BioVoiceNews | November 2017