Superbugs are spreading as India faces gaps in drug supply, access to treatment
Yet, the study found that only 6.9% of patients in these countries received the right treatment.INDIA CARRIES THE HEAVIEST BURDENIndia had the largest number of cases among all countries studied. It also procured 80% of the full antibiotic courses examined. But despite this, only 7.8% of people with CRGN infections received the proper treatment.This points to a gap between drug supply and actual access to treatment.A full course of antibiotics means the complete number of doses a patient must take to fully fight off an infection.
The study found that only 6.9% of patients in 8 countries, including India, received the right treatment. ()
advertisementMissing out on even a part of this treatment makes it less effective and more dangerous in the long run.These drug-resistant bacteria are commonly found in water, food, the environment, and even in our own bodies. They can cause serious infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs), pneumonia, and food poisoning.Newborn babies, elderly people, and hospital patients are especially at risk, particularly those in intensive care units (ICUs).CRGN infections are tough to treat because the bacteria no longer responds to some of the most powerful antibiotics we have. This is where the crisis deepens: in places where these infections are rising, the drugs needed to treat them are either missing or too expensive.THE ACCESS CRISISFor years, the focus has been on the overuse of antibiotics.According to Dr. Jennifer Cohn, GARDP's Global Access Director, the reality is that many people in low- and middle-income countries with deadly drug-resistant infections are "dying because they can't get the antibiotics they need," she was quoted by BBC.The study looked at eight different intravenous antibiotics that are active against these resistant bacteria.
Bacterial infections are tough to treat because the bacteriano longer responds to some of the most powerful antibiotics we have. ()
Tigecycline, one of the drugs in the study, was the most widely used. But even then, only about 1 lakh full courses were available across all eight countries, far fewer than the 1.5 million people who needed them.WHY ARE PATIENTS MISSING OUT?As per the study, there are many reasons why patients don't receive the right treatment.This could be because they aren't reaching the right hospital or clinic, not getting an accurate diagnosis, not able to access the correct antibiotics or there's a high cost of newer drugs.Many of these antibiotics are simply too expensive for the average patient in countries like India. Without better policies, price regulation, and access programs, millions will continue to suffer or die needlessly.SMARTER POLICIESThe experts said that two things are needed urgently: stronger rules to prevent misuse of antibiotics and better systems to make them affordable and available to those who truly need them.But access alone isn't enough. The world is also facing a shrinking pipeline of new antibiotics.advertisementWith fewer companies investing in antibiotic research, the options for treating future infections are limited.India has one of the highest burdens of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the world. But researchers say the country also holds great potential to lead the global fight against drug-resistant infections.
India has one of the highest burdens of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the world. ()
India's strong pharmaceutical sector is already leading efforts in antibiotic innovation. From developing new drugs to improving diagnostics, the country has a head start.Experts suggest that India can further improve by gathering local data. This would help identify what's needed, where the gaps are, and how to fix them. Some states are already trying new models.For instance, Kerala is using a "hub-and-spoke" system where smaller clinics get support from larger hospitals in treating complex infections.Another solution is pooled procurement, where hospitals or states buy drugs together in bulk, reducing costs. This has worked for cancer medicines and could be tried for antibiotics too.In the end, the battle against superbugs is not just about using antibiotics wisely, it's also about making sure they're within everyone's reach.Trending Reel
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Time of India
India discovers world's rarest blood group 'CRIB' in Bengaluru woman: What it is and why it's so unique
In a remarkable breakthrough in transfusion medicine, scientists from India and the UK have identified a new and extremely rare human blood group called CRIB. This discovery holds significant potential for advancing critical care, prenatal diagnostics, and global blood donation protocols. In a case that has drawn international attention, a 38-year-old woman from Kolar, near Bengaluru, was found to possess a previously unidentified blood type, now formally recognized as CRIB. Experts believe it may be the rarest blood group ever discovered, with only one confirmed individual known to have it. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Analytics Leadership Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Data Science Degree Data Science Project Management Operations Management Management MCA healthcare Others others Cybersecurity CXO Public Policy Product Management Design Thinking PGDM Finance Technology MBA Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Visualization Predictive Analytics & Machine Learning Business Intelligence & Data-Driven Decision Making Analytics Strategy & Implementation Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Applied Business Analytics Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details The new blood group has been named CRIB, with: by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Build Your Dream Villa Near Bengaluru Airport Sumadhura Group Learn More Undo CR representing Cromer, the blood group system it is classified under IB standing for India, Bengaluru, where the discovery was made She is currently the only person in the world known to have this blood type. Live Events What is the CRIB Blood Group? The CRIB blood group is a newly discovered and extremely rare blood type that falls outside the commonly known ABO and Rh systems. While CRIB stands for "Chromosome Region Identified as Blood group," the acronym also carries symbolic significance due to its potential impact on newborn and fetal medicine. This blood group is classified under the INRA (Indian Rare Antigen) system, which was officially recognized by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) in 2022. What sets CRIB apart is the absence of a high-prevalence antigen present in most individuals. Because people with this blood group lack that antigen, blood transfusions become extremely challenging, as only CRIB-negative blood is compatible — making suitable donors exceptionally rare. Why was her blood so unique? Dr. C. Shivaram, Consultant and Head of Transfusion Medicine at Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road, Bangalore, explains the uniqueness of the case. While most people are familiar with the ABO and Rh blood group systems, there are actually 47 internationally recognized blood group systems, each defined by specific antigens. In this woman's case, her blood exhibited panreactivity—a critical warning sign indicating incompatibility with all known donor samples. Even after testing 20 family members, no match was found, leading researchers to suspect an entirely unknown blood group. The root cause turned out to be a previously unidentified antigen within the Cromer blood group system , which is associated with glycoproteins in red blood cell membranes. Until this discovery, no variant like CRIB had ever been documented. What is the Cromer System, and why is it so rare? The Cromer blood group system consists of several antigens—some of which are commonly found in most people, while others are extremely rare. Typically, individuals develop antibodies against these rare antigens due to factors such as: Pregnancy Previous blood transfusions Genetic mutations In this particular case, the woman had never received a transfusion before. Yet, her red blood cells responded as if every unit of donor blood was foreign and incompatible. This unusual reaction suggested the presence of a completely unknown antigen—one that no existing blood bank could match. The situation was so complex that doctors made the rare decision to perform her surgery without a transfusion—a medically high-risk move that was carefully managed.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
30-07-2025
- First Post
Not just smokers: Doctors flag new risk factors for throat cancer in India
An increasing number of throat cancer cases are being diagnosed among non-smokers in India, particularly men under 60. Experts link this rise to HPV infections, lifestyle changes and environmental exposures. Read here read more Throat cancer, once predominantly associated with tobacco and smoking is increasingly affecting non-smokers in India, particularly men under the age of 60. Medical experts are now sounding the alarm over a dramatic epidemiological shift, citing the human papillomavirus (HPV) as a key driver of this growing trend. 'Traditionally, oropharyngeal cancers in India were largely seen in smokers and tobacco chewers. But now, a growing number of patients, especially men in their 50s—are being diagnosed without any history of smoking,' said Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dr Malhotra highlighted that areas most commonly affected include the tonsils, base of the tongue, posterior pharyngeal wall and tissues above the voice box. HPV i****nfection the d****riving f****orce The primary factor behind this shift, he said, is the rising incidence of HPV infections which are closely linked to changes in sexual behaviour. 'Increased prevalence of oral sex compared to previous generations has led to higher exposure to HPV, a known carcinogen for the oropharynx,' Dr Malhotra said. A 2023 study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia supports this, reporting that HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers are on the rise in India, echoing trends observed in Western countries over the past two decades. Other contributing factors include excessive alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene, a diet low in antioxidants, vegetables and environmental exposure to petrochemicals, wood dust and industrial pollution. Distinct b****iology and b****etter p****rognosis HPV-related throat cancers are biologically different from those caused by tobacco, says Dr. Malhotra. 'They tend to respond much better to chemotherapy and have a higher cure rate, even though they can present at more advanced stages with larger neck nodes. In contrast, cancers linked to smoking and alcohol are often more aggressive and harder to treat.' A 2023 meta-analysis published in JAMA Oncology found that five-year survival rates for HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer were above 80%, significantly better than the 50-60% rates seen in HPV-negative cases. Breakthroughs in treatment: TORS and bio-Selection Treatment advancements such as Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) have revolutionised outcomes, particularly for early-stage patients. 'TORS is minimally invasive, leaves no external scars or bone cuts, and enables faster recovery,' he added. For advanced cases, oncologists are now adopting a 'bio-selection' approach. Patients first receive 2–3 cycles of chemotherapy to assess tumour shrinkage. If the tumour reduces by 50–80%, less invasive options like TORS or radiation can be pursued. If not, a radical surgery followed by radiation becomes necessary. 'This strategy allows us to personalise treatment based on tumour biology rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, ultimately reducing complications and improving survival outcomes,' said Dr Malhotra. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India sees over 1.3 lakh new cases of head and neck cancers annually, with oropharyngeal cancer forming a significant portion. Globally, WHO estimates that HPV is responsible for up to 70% of oropharyngeal cancers in developed countries, a number now reflecting similar patterns in India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As the medical community adapts to these evolving patterns, awareness and early detection remain key. 'Vaccination against HPV, improved oral hygiene and safe sexual practices are preventive strategies that must be prioritised,' Dr Malhotra said.
India Today
27-07-2025
- India Today
From death certificate to marriage certificate: Journey of HIV-positive Indians
Tarun (name changed), a Mumbai resident, was diagnosed HIV-positive and was only given 30 days to live. He defied the prognosis, and has been living with the virus for 23 years now. But back in 2002, the news that someone had tested positive for HIV was nothing short of a death before the virus killed, social rejection and emotional distress killed those with has been leading a near-normal life for 23 years, thanks to advancements in antiretroviral therapy (ART), family support and peer individuals now have a lifespan that is close to that of uninfected people. It is now, more than ever, that they are seeking companionship for the long now 46, is healthy, married, and living what he calls "a full life". His wife, Anushka (name changed), is also HIV-positive. Together, they are parents to a biological daughter, who is HIV-negative, and an adopted must be noted that India had an estimated 23.48 lakh people living with the virus in 2019 – the third-highest burden of HIV in the world – according to a National AIDS Control Organisation (Naco) India Today Digital spoke to said the country today has around 2.5-3 million HIV-positive people, roughly a third of whom fall in the marriage bracket of 21-35 years."Today, more HIV-positive people are getting married compared to a decade ago," Anjali Gopalan, founder and executive director of The Naz Foundation (India) Trust, told India Today Digital."HIV-positive individuals are now even marrying HIV-negative people," said Gopalan, whose organisation has extensively worked with issues related to HIV/AIDS and sexuality for over three MK, advocacy officer with Mumbai-based Humsafar Trust, a support group for people living with HIV (PLHIV), also said that marriages among HIV-positive people are on the rise as compared to a decade HIV-positive individuals, even the way of finding partners is seemingly online matrimony platforms like and have emerged. Matrimony major recently launched a section for HIV-positive brides and experts and HIV-positive individuals told India Today Digital that most people from the community seeking partners do so offline, primarily through annual meet-ups organised by Naco. Experts said even the World Health Organisation (WHO) plays a small role in the the coming up of online matrimonial platforms and Jeevansathi's exclusive section is a signal of a positive shift in India's HIV/AIDS JOURNEY FROM DEATH CERTIFICATE TO MARRIAGE CERTIFICATETarun, a chef returning from a cruise-liner job, was diagnosed with HIV during a routine check-up in and scared, he hid the diagnosis from his mother for nine months. By the time she found out, the doctor had given him 30 days to live. But his mother's support kept him he stuck to medication, a healthier lifestyle and diet, and regular check-ups, Tarun's immunity and outlook improved. He left his job as a chef, fearing a simple kitchen injury could stir a panic about HIV transmission, and took up work at a call centre years passed, he became a peer counsellor day, he was asked to speak with an HIV-positive woman from Raipur who had faced abuse from her in-laws after losing her husband to AIDS. He didn't expect that this woman, by the end of counselling, would become his friend, and ultimately his might have found his life partner by chance while counselling, but most HIV-positive people find their spouses either at meet-ups or the matrimonial sites that have come COUPLES AND SAFE CHILDBIRTHThe journey of Tarun and Anushka, both HIV-positive individuals, helps us understand some of the struggles that such couples marriage, childbirth is where they faced the next big challenge."When we planned to have a baby, many hospitals turned us away because we were both HIV-positive," Tarun said. "The discrimination came from everyone – receptionists, ward boys, nurses, and even doctors."The couple were wrongly told they couldn't have an HIV-negative child."If the mother is HIV-positive, she is placed on lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) to suppress the virus to undetectable levels. With proper adherence, this reduces the risk of transmission to the baby to less than 1%," Dr Rashmi Singh, a Delhi-based medicine specialist, told India Today Digital."During childbirth, if the mother's viral load is under control, a vaginal delivery is also considered safe, but just to be sure, most gynaecologists recommend a C-section delivery," she the process after the baby is delivered, Singh said, "After birth, the infant is given preventive medication for several weeks, and is monitored through regular HIV testing up to 18 months of age."In cases where only the father is HIV-positive, Singh added, "Assisted reproductive technologies such as sperm washing followed by intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilisation (IVF) can be used. These methods ensure that the virus is not present in the sperm used for conception, preventing transmission to both the mother and child."MANAGING HIV WITHIN A MARRIAGEHowever, couples with HIV need to be extra careful about unprotected sex even if both are living with the told India Today Digital that he and his wife planned their pregnancy under the close supervision of a gynaecologist, as he cannot have regular unprotected sex despite having his viral load under control. His semen could still affect his wife's CD4 count – a key indicator of immune health in people living with today, with ART, many people can restore and maintain normal CD4 Tarun's case, regular monitoring of both viral load and CD4 count helped guide safe family must also be noted that India's ART programme is one of the world's most cost-effective and accessible. First-line ART medicines can cost around Rs 1,500-Rs 2,000 per month at private institutions, but under Naco, the government provides them free of WITH HIV: BEYOND THE VIRAL LOADDespite being cost-effective today and offering a high chance of leading a normal life, living with HIV within a relationship still comes with its own set of emotional and practical serodiscordant couples, where only one partner is HIV-positive, the HIV-negative partner may have to make certain adjustments, especially around trust and physical intimacy, such as barely being able to have unprotected sex, and other lifestyle adjustments involving Foundation's Anjali Gopalan said, "When there is openness and honesty about one's HIV status, many couples are able to make it work. With the right support and counselling, people often choose to focus on the relationship and the bond they share, rather than the condition."Finding a partner, however, remains one of the biggest MK of the Humsafar Trust points out, "Most people living with HIV try to find a partner who is also HIV positive. Though marriage rates have improved, the success rate at community HIV melawas (fair, in Marathi) is still just 1-2%."Melawas are the Naco-organised community meet-ups held in Maharashtra. Similar meet-ups, known by different local names, are held annually in cities across India. Experts say these are typically low-key events, drawing around 100–150 attendees now married and actively involved in the HIV-positive community as a counsellor, says he attends the melawa across Maharashtra, to connect with others and offer common way people intending to get married meet is through word-of-mouth, especially via counsellors who interact with people living with HIV and often pass along information when they hear someone is looking for a partner."I have helped four couples get married by informally playing matchmaker," Tarun told India Today who has attended nearly every community meet-up in Maharashtra in the past several years, said, "Around 80% of those who turn up at these events are men. This gender disparity is one of the reasons why the success rate of melawas leading to marriage remains so low."Both Sumi MK and Tarun noted that even older individuals seek companionship and long-term relationships are often spotted at the community meet-ups. Online HIV matrimony portals offer some hope, but their reach is seemingly who helps facilitate such meet-ups, says, "Many people come from underprivileged backgrounds and aren't tech-savvy enough to maintain a profile. The emotional toll of living with HIV also means many don't always stay active on these platforms."Other social factors persist as well."Even within the HIV-positive community, people often seek partners from the same caste," Tarun added. "I once introduced two individuals from the Patil community, but the girl's parents insisted on the same sub-caste, and the match fell through."While stigma and practical hurdles remain, the journey of people living with HIV is no longer defined by fear or isolation. With stronger treatment options, growing awareness, and supportive communities, HIV-positive individuals are reclaiming their right to live, and love.- EndsMust Watch advertisement
