Study underway with eye on framing national policy on antibiotics use

New Delhi: An 'antibiotic resistance survey' is being held in the country whose findings would form the basis for the formulation of a national policy to regulate use of antibiotics.

Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Dr Soumya Swaminathan, today said that the policy, if framed, will not only save people from adverse effects but also define the duration and doses of antibiotics.

Currently, a survey to find out antibiotic resistance to 'hospital-acquired infection' and other bacterial infections is underway at AIIMS-New Delhi, PGI-Chandigarh, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER)-Puducherry and CMC-Vellor.

For a more comprehensive study, 15 more centres will be roped in over the next five years, Swaminathan said.

According to Swaminathan, there should be a programme for creating awareness about antibiotic use along with regulations that talk about the ban of irregular combinations and the strict implementation of the same.

Stress was also laid on going for proper vaccination where the scope exists and ban of antibiotics to promote growth among livestock.

AIIMS Director Dr MC Mishra blamed the habit of self- medication for antibiotic misuse in the country.

Without knowing the adverse impact of antibiotics, a majority of people continue to take such medicines without consulting a doctor. Easy availability of antibiotics over the counter is also responsible for the situation, he said.