New Delhi, Dec 29 (NationPress) Dr. M Srinivas, Director of AIIMS in Delhi, cautioned against purchasing antibiotics without a physician’s approval on Monday, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's warning against the misuse of these medications.

During his last 'Mann Ki Baat' of the year on Sunday, PM Modi voiced his worries regarding the “extremely concerning” levels of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in the nation and advised people against the casual use of antibiotics.

The Prime Minister referenced a recent alarming study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), indicating that antibiotics are becoming increasingly ineffective against conditions like pneumonia and urinary tract infections in India.

Dr. V Srinivas emphasized, “If everyone takes antibiotics and develops resistance, we will lack effective treatments in ICU settings. This is extremely dangerous.”

He added, “The key takeaway is to avoid taking antibiotics without medical advice if you suspect an infection, fever, or other symptoms.”

The doctor recommended seeking a physician’s guidance, who will determine the appropriate antibiotic to prescribe.

“The doctor will choose the medication that presents the lowest risk, and it's vital to adhere to the prescribed treatment duration,” he advised.

Self-prescribing antibiotics is inadvisable. It is crucial that antibiotics are only consumed when prescribed by a healthcare professional.

Dr. Bimal Kumar Das, Head of the Microbiology Department at AIIMS, praised the Prime Minister's address regarding the significance of antibiotics and the alarming issue of their overuse and misuse in the country.

“Antibiotic resistance has escalated into a significant public health crisis. Bacteria are increasingly gaining resistance to nearly all commonly utilized classes of antibiotics, both in clinical settings and in the wider community,” Das stated.

This predicament is particularly troubling as effective antibiotics are already scarce, and the development of new ones is minimal.

Therefore, addressing this issue and advocating for the prudent use of antibiotics is crucial.

“Antibiotic resistance prevails not only in hospitals but also within the community, posing a widespread and grave challenge,” Das remarked.

Dr. Neha Rastogi, a Senior Infectious Diseases Consultant at a local hospital, noted, “India is enduring a silent yet vast pandemic with a high incidence of infectious diseases, particularly UTIs and pneumonia. The easy availability of antibiotics over the counter, irrational prescribing, and incomplete treatment regimens have exacerbated resistance.”

Key challenges include the straightforward access to antibiotics and the lack of rigorous checks in prescription processes.

Rastogi emphasized that raising public awareness, promoting behavioral change, enhancing diagnostics, and implementing strict national policies to control AMR are vital to combatting this crisis.

Furthermore, preventing infections through vaccinations, ensuring proper sanitation, and managing environmental factors effectively is essential.

Moreover, establishing early, affordable diagnostics, discouraging self-medication, and adhering to the correct dosage and treatment duration protocols are fundamental to sustaining the fight against antimicrobial resistance.