Lok Sabha Question No. 2154 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-10
Subject: Antimicrobial Resistance
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Jayant Sinha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2154 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th  DECEMBER, 2021

## ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE

## 2154: SHRI JAYANT SINHA:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state: (a)  the  programme  of  the  Government  to  track  and  contain  antimicrobial resistance (AMR); (b) the details of the steps taken by the Government to stop the availability of antibiotics  over-the-counter  in  pharmacies  without  proper  prescription  by  the doctor; (c) the deaths due to septicemia/AMR during the last five years; and (d) the details of the steps taken by the Government to combat the increasing

- trends of fungal infections due to AMR?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched a 'National Programme on Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)' coordinated by National Centre for  Disease  Control  (NCDC).  Under  the  programme,  various  AMR  containment activities are conducted :

- a. A laboratory-based AMR surveillance system in the country has been established  to  generate  quality  data  on  antimicrobial  resistance  to understand geographical trends of AMR.
- b. National  Guidelines  have  been  developed  and  training  of  trainers  is conducted for all the states in phased manner.
- c. Surveillance of antimicrobial usage in various centres.
- d. Generate awareness amongst health care providers and community on Antimicrobial resistance and rational use of Antimicrobials.

(b):  Manufacture,  sale  and  distribution  of  drugs  including  antibiotics  in  the country are regulated under the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 thereunder through a system of licensing and inspection. Licenses for  manufacture,  sale  and  distribution  of  drugs  are  granted  by  the  State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) appointed by respective State Governments.

Following measures have been taken by the Ministry to curb the misuse of antibiotics:

-  Antibiotics  are  included  in  Schedule  H  and  H1  of  the  Drugs  and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 and are required to be sold by retail only under the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner.
-  The Schedule H1 under the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945 which includes  antibiotic  drugs,  Anti  TB  drugs  and  certain  habit  forming  drugs has been notified. The drugs falling under Schedule H1 are required to be sold in the country with certain strict conditions.

(c)  &  (d):  The  National  Programme  on  AMR  Containment  is  coordinated  by NCDC.  The  containment strategies under surveillance of AMR  in fungal pathogens  include  strengthening  Infection  Prevention  and  control  to  prevent spread of AMR in health care facilities and support containment of AMR in fungal pathogens. Indian Council of Medical Research collects and monitors/tracks data on  the  trends  and  patterns  of  antimicrobial  resistance of  clinically  important fungi.

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