Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the critical issue of antibiotic misuse during his last ‘Mann Ki Baat’ of the year, warning citizens against casual consumption of antibiotics.
He cited a report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which revealed that antibiotics are becoming less effective against infections such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections in India.
PM Modi described the situation as ‘extremely worrying’ and urged people to take antibiotics only under medical guidance.
Health experts welcomed the Prime Minister’s message, emphasising its timeliness in raising national awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Rajiv Bahl, Director General of ICMR, said PM Modi had brought the country’s attention to a major health concern, explaining that bacteria are increasingly resisting common antibiotics, rendering some infections difficult to treat.
Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, former President of IMA Cochin, called AMR a ‘silent but serious threat’ to India’s healthcare system.
He noted that since AMR has no obvious symptoms, most people remain unaware of the dangers, making public education crucial.
Dr Neeraj Nischal, Additional Professor at AIIMS Delhi, highlighted that the Prime Minister’s warning is a strong public-health intervention.
He stressed that improper use of antibiotics—such as self-medication, incomplete courses, and use for viral infections—drives resistance, which could make routine infections and medical procedures increasingly risky.
Alarming Statistics
Recent reports underline the urgency of the issue. WHO data from 2023 indicate that one in three bacterial infections in India showed resistance to common antibiotics, compared with one in six globally.
National surveillance data reveal high resistance in pathogens like E coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii.
A study in Lancet eClinical Medicine further warned that India is at the epicentre of a ‘superbug explosion’, with over 80 per cent of patients carrying multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs).
Experts emphasised that antibiotics should never be used as a quick fix for fever, colds, or viral illnesses. Individuals must avoid self-medication and complete full courses of prescribed antibiotics.
Doctors are urged to follow evidence-based prescribing and stewardship, while chemists must enforce prescription-only sales.
Rapid delivery platforms must also ensure prescriptions are legitimate to prevent misuse.
Addressing AMR requires combined efforts from citizens, healthcare professionals, and government authorities.
Experts praised PM Modi’s message as a necessary step to highlight the long-term consequences of antibiotic misuse and to safeguard India’s healthcare future.
Dr Nischal warned that each inappropriate prescription today could lead to untreatable infections tomorrow, underlining the critical need for responsible use.
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