New Delhi, December 29 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong warning against the misuse of antibiotics in his latest Mann Ki Baat address has triggered a united response from India’s top medical authorities, who have cautioned that irresponsible use of these life-saving drugs is fuelling the rapid rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), one of the gravest public health threats facing the country and the world.
Citing a recent report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Prime Minister said antibiotics are increasingly proving ineffective against common and serious infections such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections. He stressed that the primary reason for this alarming trend is the indiscriminate and mindless use of antibiotics by people without medical guidance. Warning against the belief that “one pill can cure everything,” PM Modi urged citizens to strictly avoid self-medication, reiterating a clear message: “Medicines require guidance, and antibiotics require doctors.”
Echoing the Prime Minister’s concern, Chairperson of the National Medical Commission (NMC), Dr Abhijat Chandrakant Sheth, said antibiotic misuse is a critical healthcare issue that demands both enforcement and widespread public awareness. In a self-recorded video message, Dr Sheth said the overuse of antibiotics must be prevented and assured that the NMC is fully committed to addressing the problem. He added that the message on rational antibiotic use will be actively disseminated across all NMC institutions nationwide.
Medical experts from across the country have also expressed deep concern over the accelerating threat of AMR. Dr Sanjeev Singh, Medical Director of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, described antimicrobial resistance as a “silent pandemic” and one of the greatest threats to future generations. He said irresponsible and unwarranted antibiotic use is the main driver of AMR and urged citizens to pledge never to take antibiotics without a registered doctor’s prescription and to always complete the full prescribed course. Highlighting a common but dangerous practice, Dr Singh warned that stopping antibiotics midway, sharing medicines, or using leftovers significantly contributes to resistance.
Former AIIMS HOD Dr Alok Thakar explained that taking antibiotics in inadequate doses or unnecessarily allows some germs to survive and become resistant. These resistant microorganisms later cause infections that are far more difficult to treat, often forcing doctors to rely on more toxic and expensive drugs.
From Kochi, Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, Convener of the Research Cell of the Kerala State Indian Medical Association (IMA), said antimicrobial resistance is a global crisis and pointed to the easy over-the-counter availability of antibiotics in India as a major concern. He noted that in developed countries, antibiotics are dispensed strictly on prescription, unlike in India where people often buy them directly from medical stores. Dr Jayadevan called for an immediate halt to the sale of antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription, warning that continued misuse will lead to prolonged illnesses, rising healthcare costs, and infections that may eventually become untreatable.
Safdarjung Hospital Director Dr Sandeep Bansal also warned that irresponsible antibiotic use—such as self-medication, not completing prescribed courses, or sharing medicines—is weakening the effectiveness of drugs that have been a cornerstone of modern medicine for over eight decades. He said infections like typhoid, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections are increasingly becoming difficult to manage due to AMR. Referring to Schedule H medicines that carry red warning labels, Dr Bansal urged people to respect these warnings and consult doctors before use.
Welcoming the Prime Minister’s repeated focus on the issue, healthcare leaders collectively stressed that laws and regulations alone are not enough. They appealed to citizens, pharmacists, and healthcare workers to act responsibly by ensuring rational prescription, restricting over-the-counter sales, completing prescribed courses, and maintaining basic hygiene practices.
As India confronts the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance, experts agree that coordinated action by the government, medical community, and the public is essential to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics and safeguard public health for future generations.
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