National Antibiotics Policy

Anti-biotic resistance is a universal evolutionary phenomenon, as bacterias are surviving both in environment and human bodies. Within the human body, due to prolonged use of anti-biotics, bacteria may start various defensive mechanism like mutation, conjugation, transduction or transformation, etc. so that it can counter the assault of anti-biotic, resulting in anti-biotic resistance. Irrational use of anti-biotic and over-prescription of anti-biotic are also other contributing factors for anti-biotic resistance.

Government has constituted a Task Force with the following terms of reference:

1. To review the current situation regarding manufacture, use and misuse of anti-biotics in the country;

2. To recommend the design for creation of a National Surveillance System for anti-biotic resistance.

3. To initiate studies documenting prescription patterns and establish a monitoring system for the same.

4. To enforce and enhance regulatory provisions for use of anti-biotics in human, veterinary and industrial use.

5. To recommend specific interventions/measures such as rational use of anti-biotics and anti-biotics policies in hospitals which can be implemented as early as possible.

The Task Force is expected to submit its report by month end, and the future course of action will depend on the examination of its recommendations.

This information was given by Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad in written reply to a question raised in Lok Sabha 19th November 2010.