While the policy decisions seems to gain steam , the implementation matters in the longer run . The increase in awareness levels among consumers , better healthcare delivery system and allocation of enough funds for concerned authorities are few of the immediate keys .
launched a programme on Antimicrobial Stewardship , Prevention of Infection and Control ( ASPIC ) in 2012 . Functional infection control programmes not only cut down the rates of nosocomial infections , but also reduce the volume of antibiotic consumption and are a critical part of any comprehensive strategy to contain AMR .
Further , a red line campaign has been launched to regulate over the counter sale of Schedule H antibiotics . Health Ministry says it has set up a National Surveillance System for AMR , enacted regulations ( Schedule-H-1 ) to regulate sale of antibiotics , brought out National Guidelines for use of antibiotics etc . The campaign is aimed at discouraging unnecessary prescription and over-thecounter sale of antibiotics causing drug resistance for several critical diseases including TB , malaria , urinary tract infection and even HIV .
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also launched a programme named ‘ National Programme on Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance ’ to address the problem of growing AMR .
“ AMR is a serious threat to global public health that requires action across all government sectors and society and is driven by
16 BioVoiceNews | November 2017