{"id":1516,"date":"2024-09-17T11:57:34","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T11:57:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=1516"},"modified":"2026-02-11T19:08:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T19:08:30","slug":"paper-iv-gs-iii-technology-economic-development-biodiversity-environment-security-and-disaster-management-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/paper-iv-gs-iii-technology-economic-development-biodiversity-environment-security-and-disaster-management-16\/","title":{"rendered":"PAPER-IV GS-III: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology; Indigenization of Technology and Developing New Technology.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In News: Antibiotics overuse led to 33% of sepsis deaths in India: Study; New ICMR report highlights growing resistance in bacteria to antibiotics critical for human health<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the reasons for sustained rise in antimicrobial resistance in India? Also evaluate the steps taken by the government in this regard.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reasons for rising antimicrobial resistance in India:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Injudicious use of antimicrobials<\/strong>: The over-prescription and misuse of antibiotics are significant contributors to AMR.India is the largest consumer of antibiotics globally in terms of absolute volume.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Self-Medication and Over-the-Counter Availability: <\/strong>Self-medication is rampant due to easy access to antibiotics without prescriptions. Regulatory gaps allow for the sale of antibiotics in pharmacies without prescriptions, leading to misuse<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Inadequate treatment of waste waters from hospitals,<\/strong> pharmaceutical companies, and livestock farms, allowing resistant organisms and antibiotic residues to enter the environment<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Agricultural Practices: <\/strong>The use of antibiotics in agriculture, particularly for growth promotion in livestock and aquaculture, is a significant factor. Antibiotic residues from animal waste can contaminate crops and water sources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Socioeconomic factors: <\/strong>Socioeconomic conditions such as poverty and malnutrition exacerbate the burden of infectious diseases, leading to increased antibiotic use as a first-line response rather than preventive measures. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Aggressive marketing and overselling of antibiotics by the pharmaceutical industry<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Lack of access to diagnostic facilities in many healthcare settings, leading to empiric antibiotic prescribing<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Government Initiatives:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To address these challenges, the Indian government has implemented several measures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Launched the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR<\/strong>) in 2017 with a One Health approach that encompasses human health, animal health, and environmental health.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Established the National Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (NARS-Net) <\/strong>to gather data on AMR patterns across the country<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Developed National Treatment Guidelines for Antimicrobial Use in Infectious Diseases<\/strong> to promote rational antibiotic use<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Initiated antibiotic stewardship programs<\/strong> in 20 tertiary care hospitals to control misuse and overuse of antibiotics<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Banned the use of Colistin <\/strong>as a growth promoter in animal feed in collaboration with ICAR and DCGI<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Developed National Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare Facilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. Launched the “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” and “Kayakalp Programme” to improve access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    8. Established the National Institute of One Health in Nagpur to operationalize One Health mechanisms<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      While the Government of India has implemented several measures to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR), significant limitations hinder their effectiveness:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      1. Inconsistent enforcement <\/strong>of regulations like Schedule H1 restricting over-the-counter antibiotic sales<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Lack of dedicated financial resources<\/strong> for implementing the National Action Plan on AMR<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Insufficient surveillance data<\/strong> due to limited coverage and inadequate monitoring infrastructure<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Challenges in regulating pharmaceutical waste<\/strong> and agricultural runoff contributing to environmental AMR<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. Gaps in public awareness<\/strong> about appropriate antibiotic use and the consequences of AMR<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      6. Cultural practices favouring self-medication <\/strong>and easy access to antibiotics without prescriptions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      7. Insufficient investment in research and development<\/strong> for new antibiotics and alternative treatments<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      8. Lack of coordination among stakeholders <\/strong>across human health, animal health and environment sectors<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Despite the government’s efforts, these limitations undermine the effectiveness of measures to contain the growing threat of AMR in India. Addressing these gaps requires a multi-pronged approach with sustained political commitment and collaborative efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        PYQ : <\/strong>Can overuse and the availability of antibiotics without doctor\u2019s prescription, the contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved. 2014<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Source:<\/strong> Indian Express;https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/health\/new-icmr-report-highlights-growing-resistance-in-bacteria-to-antibiotics-critical-for-human-health<\/a><\/p>\n