Combating Antimicrobial Resistance in India: The Road Ahead

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health challenge, requiring immediate actionable strategies to prevent the next pandemic due to untreatable multi- and pan-resistant microorganisms. The antibiotic overuse and misuse with poor infection prevention and control are the major reasons for accelerated resistance to antimicrobials. The problem of AMR is widespread across humans, plants, food, animals, and environment and does not recognize any geographic borders. AMR is like a ticking time bomb that requires urgent, comprehensive, coordinated, collaborative actions between human health, animal health, and environment sectors based on “One Health approach” for deferring this disaster. In recognition of this crisis, the Global Action Plan on AMR was developed and endorsed by the 68th World Health Assembly in 2015, followed by adoption by other international bodies. In alignment with the global action plan, India developed its National Action Plan on AMR (NAP-AMR) in 2017. The NAP-AMR is a comprehensive plan that addresses the strategies and priorities for AMR containment across all sectors encompassing all dimensions of antibiotic use and disposal. Several initiatives have been undertaken to implement NAP-AMR, but the gains have yet not been consolidated due to highly complex and competing national priorities. The plan is highly resource intensive and requires integrated, cohesive governance between human, animal health, and environment to bring out any perceivable change.