Antibiotics have long been considered miracle, life-saving drugs, capable of treating infections caused by bacteria that once caused serious illness or even death.

Since 1893, antibiotics have cured diseases and helped patients recover from near-death situations caused by syphilis and have significantly transformed modern medical practice by extending the average human lifespan by 23 years.

The first true antibiotic, ‘Penicillin’, was discovered by Scottish bacteriologist Alexander Fleming in 1929.

It was initially used to treat bacterial infections caused by Staphylococcus and Streptococcus bacteria. In 1942, penicillin was used to treat infections such as blood poisoning (septicemia), which was often fatal before antibiotics.

During World War II, it was widely used to treat soldiers’ wound infections, pneumonia, and gangrene, making it one of the first effective treatments for a range of serious bacterial infections.

Although researchers have reported that the 20th century began a golden age of natural product antibiotic discovery that peaked in the mid-1950s, antibiotic discovery and development has gradually declined.

However, soon, these drugs stopped working effectively against the pathogens. This resistance, combined with declining antibiotic discovery, has led to the current silent epidemic of antimicrobial (bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites), including antibiotic resistance.

Since the 1950s, indiscriminate selling, buying and consumption has led to this growing health crisis in India too.

From over-the-counter availability to self-medication, misuse of antibiotics is creating a dangerous situation, which can make these life-saving drugs ineffective.

What are antibiotics made of?

Antibiotics are a group of drugs composed of naturally occurring substances that are produced by microorganisms (such as fungi or bacteria) or synthesized in the laboratory.

These drugs work by targeting bacteria, either killing them outright or stopping their growth, preventing the infection from spreading in the body.

Some well-known types of antibiotics include penicillins (derived from Penicillium mold), tetracyclines, and cephalosporins.

Despite their powerful benefits, antibiotics are not effective against viruses, which is an important gap that has been ignored in India and around the world.

misuse of antibiotics in india

The ease with which antibiotics can be purchased without prescription in India is worrying. Many pharmacies sell antibiotics freely, bypassing legal restrictions.

Despite being prescription medications, antibiotics are commonly available over-the-counter (OTC).

A study in 36 retail pharmacies in Haryana and Telangana showed that antibiotics were often distributed OTC for conditions such as fever, cough and cold and acute diarrhea, which are usually viral and self-limited.

This unrestricted access encourages self-medication, often with incorrect doses or inappropriate medications. This rampant misuse arises due to lack of awareness and misinformation about the purpose of antibiotics.

In addition to this problem, patients often pressure doctors to prescribe antibiotics for conditions that do not require their use.

According to a recent Lancet study, more than 39 million deaths between 2025 and 2050 are directly related to antimicrobial resistance, or AMR. It is a global health crisis recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Follow antibiotic dosage and course

Antibiotics play a very important role in the treatment of many infections. These are used with great care and help fight various bacteria.

Dr Vinus Taneja, consultant, Department of the Interior, said, “Antibiotics should be taken in appropriate dosages. If the dosage is wrong the infection will not be treated properly. Moreover, the dosage varies from person to person depending on the medical problems of the patient. it occurs.” Medical, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

Taking antibiotics without consulting your health care professional may also lead to incomplete treatment, which may result in bacterial growth and re-infection.

A government study under the health ministry in January revealed that half of the antibiotics prescribed in India are causing antibiotic resistance.

The report suggested that certain types of antibiotics, called “watch groups”, are used more often than others. According to WHO, “watch” antibiotics generally have a higher potential for antimicrobial resistance, and are used more frequently in sick patients in medical facilities. These medicines should be used with caution to avoid misuse.

Antibiotic resistance can cause…

The more antibiotics are misused, the greater the chance for bacteria to develop resistance. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve or mutate to avoid exposure to antibiotics that would normally kill them.

This makes the infection much more difficult to treat, as stronger or more expensive drugs are required to deal with these resistant strains.

India has become a global hotspot for antibiotic resistance, with many bacteria becoming resistant to first-line treatments.

For example, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are two significant health threats that are now prevalent in India.

The overuse of antibiotics in agriculture and livestock farming also contributes to the development of resistant bacteria, as these drugs are commonly used to promote animal growth and prevent infection in crowded, unsanitary conditions. .

combating antibiotic abuse

Tackling antibiotic misuse requires a multi-pronged approach. Strict enforcement of sale of antibiotics only on prescription basis is a necessary step.

In 2018, the Government of India launched the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, which aims to improve awareness, reduce infections, and promote responsible use of antibiotics in both human and animal health.

Dr. Sandeep Budhiraja, group medical director of Max Healthcare and senior director of the Institute of Internal Medicine, concluded that antibiotics should be sold only with a prescription because resistance “makes the infection harder to treat and the cost of treatment increases.” Increases.”

The misuse and abuse of antibiotics in India is leading to an alarming increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Avoiding the use of antibiotics without proper knowledge can encourage people to take them more carefully, ensuring that these life-saving drugs are used responsibly, before we run out of bacterial infections. Risk losing your ability to fight.