According to Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, one of the biggest risks to public health worldwide is antibiotic resistance.
The Union Health Ministry urged all doctors to compulsorily cite the exact reason while prescribing antibiotics. The decision aims to check the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial drugs that lead to the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens. The Director General of Health Services, Dr. Atul Goel, also urged all the pharmacists to strictly implement Schedules H and H1 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, immediately stop over-the-counter sales of them, and sell them only on the prescription of a qualified doctor.
“With few new technologies in the research and development pipeline, prudent use is the only option to delay the development of resistance,” Goel said in a letter. In his letter, Goel further stated that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) happens to be one of the top global public health threats and it accounts for 1.27 million deaths across the world in 2019. The drug-resistant pathogens threaten the natural prevention and treatment of infections, which lead to prolonged illness and a greater risk of death. Treatment failures also result in longer periods of infectivity and the prohibitive high cost of second-line drugs results in the failure to treat these diseases in many individuals.
Also read-Five Clever Ways To Lower Tension And Create A Stress-Free Work Environment For Employees
“While the pharmacists are being reminded to implement Schedules H and H1 of the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules and sell it only on valid prescriptions, it is important that doctors write the indication on the prescriptions while prescribing antimicrobials,” Goel’s letter further stated. He urged medical practitioners to mandately write the reason and indication while prescribing it and help reduce the emergence of AMR. “This is an urgent appeal to all the pharmacists in the country to strictly implement Schedules H and H1 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules and stop over-the-counter sales of it and sell them only on the prescription of a qualified doctor,” Goel wrote.
Frequently asked questions
What is the reason for prescribing antibiotics?
Antibiotics are medicines that fight infections caused by bacteria in humans and animals by either killing the bacteria or making it difficult for the bacteria to grow and multiply. Bacteria are germs. They live in the environment and all over the inside and outside of our bodies.
Which of the following is the reason why antibiotics are prescribed?
Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent some types of bacterial infections.
Why is it important for a doctor to give you a prescription for an antibiotic rather than buy antibiotics over the counter?
In conclusion, it are prescription-only drugs for a reason. Obtaining its without a prescription can lead to the misuse of the drugs, increase the risk of serious side effects, and contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
What are the three guiding principles for prescribing antibiotics?
3 Guiding Principles for Prescribing Antibiotics
- Determine the likelihood of a bacterial infection. The signs and symptoms of bacterial URIs can be similar to those of viral infections.
- Weigh the benefits against the harms of antibiotics.
- Implement judicious prescribing strategies.
When do doctors prescribe antibiotics?
Antibiotics are drugs that kill bacteria and germs and can only treat sickness caused by bacteria, also known as a bacterial infection. This includes strep throat, urinary tract infections (UTI) and many skin infections. Antibiotics don’t work on sickness caused by virus germs, also known as viral infections.
images source: Google
Disclaimer: The opinions and suggestions expressed in this article are solely those of the individual analysts. These are not the opinions of HNN. For more, please consult with your doctor
