Kochi (Kerala) [India], December 29 (ANI): 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 fuelling a global health crisis in the form of antimicrobial resistance.
Speaking with ANI, Dr Jayadevan cautioned that antibiotics are gradually losing their effectiveness against dangerous bacteria due to overuse and inappropriate consumption, making infections increasingly difficult to treat. He said the primary reason behind the growing problem is the widespread and unregulated use 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,” Jayadevan said.
He pointed out that unlike developed nations where antibiotics are strictly dispensed only with a valid prescription, India still allows over-the-counter sales due to weak regulation. Emphasising the need for immediate corrective steps, he called for banning non-prescription sales of antibiotics.
“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 added.
Dr Jayadevan warned that unchecked antimicrobial resistance could lead to prolonged illnesses, higher healthcare costs and infections that may become impossible to treat. He stressed that responsible antibiotic use and stricter enforcement of regulations are the only effective solutions.
“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,” he said.
The warning comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi also cautioned against the misuse of antibiotics, citing a recent Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report that indicates antibiotics are becoming ineffective against common diseases such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections.
In his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Modi described antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of India’s most serious public health challenges. Referring to the ICMR report, he noted that commonly used antibiotics are increasingly failing to treat routine infections.
The Prime Minister stressed that many people mistakenly believe that taking a pill can cure all health problems, a mindset that is worsening the AMR crisis. He urged citizens to avoid self-medication and consult doctors before using antibiotics.
Cautioning against the belief that “one pill can cure everything,” PM Modi said taking antibiotics without proper medical guidance strengthens infections and makes them harder to treat. He urged people to strictly avoid self-medication and follow a simple mantra: “Medicines require guidance, and antibiotics require doctors.”
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has also supported the Prime Minister’s stance, advocating responsible antibiotic use and stricter regulations to prevent over-the-counter sales without valid prescriptions. (ANI)
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