GUWAHATI: In a move aimed at combatting the escalating issue of antibiotic over-prescription, the central government has instructed doctors to "mandatorily mention the indication/reason/justification while prescribing antibiotics."
Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, operating under the Union Health Ministry, has fervently appealed to all doctors in medical colleges to comply with the instructions in an official letter.
In addition to doctors, Goel also underscored the responsibility of pharmacists, urging them to "implement Schedule H and H1 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules and sell antibiotics only on valid prescriptions." The letter emphasised the critical need for doctors to articulate the precise indication on prescriptions, citing the rampant misuse and overuse of antimicrobials as major contributors to drug-resistant pathogens.
The communication emphasises the dire global implications of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), asserting it as a paramount public health threat. It cites statistics estimating that bacterial AMR directly caused 1.27 million global deaths in 2019, with an additional 4.95 million deaths associated with drug-resistant infections.
The letter attributes AMR to prolonged illness, increased mortality risk, and the exorbitant cost of second-line drugs. Highlighting the significance of medical colleges, Goel's appeal extends to setting an example for the younger generation of doctors, stressing the importance of judicious antimicrobial use to navigate the impending crisis effectively.
