New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry has initiated several initiatives to promote judicious use of antimicrobials, as indiscreet prescribing of antibiotics is one of the major causes of microbial resistance in the country, the Parliament was recently informed.
Concerns related to overprescription of antibiotics in the country were raised during a Rajya Sabha Session by Minister A D Singh, who inquired whether a survey of nearly 10 thousand hospitals by the National Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC), has found that more than half of the patients were given antibiotics to prevent rather than treat the infection.
In response to the question raised, Prof. Satya Pal Singh Baghel, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare confirmed that National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) conducted Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) on antibiotic use at 20 tertiary care government hospitals (NAC-NET sites). This study was conducted amongst 9653 eligible patients admitted in these 20 hospitals. 71.9% of the patients received antibiotics. Of those who were prescribed antibiotics, 54.8% received antibiotics for prophylactic indications (Surgical Prophylaxis 37.3% and Medical prophylaxis 17.5%).
The Minister further said that indiscreet prescribing of antibiotics is one of the major causes of microbial resistance in the country. He further shed light on the efforts being made by Government to control the tendency of overprescription of antibiotics. He said that the Health Ministry has taken steps to promote judicious use of antimicrobials which includes launch of Red Line awareness campaign on Antimicrobials Resistance, urging people not to use medicines marked with a red vertical line, including antibiotics, without a doctor’s prescription.
Furthermore, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has released treatment guidelines for antimicrobial use in common syndromes, which contain guidelines for the use of antibiotics for viral bronchitis and low-grade fever antibiotics are included in Schedule H and H1 of the Drugs Rules, 1945. These drugs have specific caution labeling requirements and are sold only under the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner.
"The supply of a drug specified in Schedule H1 are recorded in a separate register at the time of the supply and such records are maintained for three years and are open for inspection. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has placed 24 hi-end antimicrobials under schedule H1 by issuing notification," the Minister added.