Indian Council of Medical Research Sets Up Anti-Microbial Resistance Research Network
The Government is not aware about WHO's report that anti-biotic resistance may cause rise in death of Indians to 20 lakhs per year by 2050, according to the information received from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Data on deaths due to antibiotic resistance is not being collected at present by the Government. In order to strengthen the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the country, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has set up a National Anti-Microbial Resistance Research and Surveillance Network (AMRRSN) to enable compilation of National Data of AMR at different levels of Health Care.
The Drugs and Cosmetic Rule, 1945 were amended in 2013 to incorporate a new Schedule H1 under the said rules containing 46 drugs which include III and IV generation antibiotics, anti TB drugs and certain habit forming drugs for having strict control over the sale of these drugs. The drugs falling under Schedule H1 are required to be sold in the country with the following conditions:
- The supply of a drug specified in Schedule H1 shall be recorded in a separate register at the time of the supply giving the name and address of the prescriber, the name of the patient, the name of the drug and the quantity supplied and such records shall be maintained for three years and be open for inspection.
- The drug specified in Schedule H1 shall be labeled with the symbol Rx which shall be in red and conspicuously displayed on the left top corner of the label, and shall also be labeled with the following words in a box with a red border:
- "Schedule H1 Drug-Warning:
- It is dangerous to take this preparation except in accordance with the medical advice.
- Not to be sold by retail without the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner."
Further, Government of India has formulated a National policy for containment of antimicrobial resistance in 2011. A National Programme for Containment of AMR has also been initiated in 12th Five Year Plan with the following objectives.
- To establish a laboratory based surveillance system by strengthening laboratories for AMR in the country and to generate quality data on antimicrobial resistance for pathogens of public health importance.
- To generate awareness among healthcare providers and in the community regarding rational use of antibiotics.
- To strengthen infection control guidelines and practices and promote rational use of antibiotics.
The MoS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Source: Medindia