Fearing antimicrobial resistance in humans, India plans to ban 37 antibiotics for animal use
New Delhi: The Centre plans to ban the sale, manufacture, import, and distribution of 37 antimicrobial medicines used to boost animal growth and yield. The plan is to check the effect of antibiotic resistance in humans, which is transferred through the consumption of milk, meat, eggs, and other dairy products.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines. As a result, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat; thereby increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability and even death.
Also read: Is Covid-19 back in India? All we know amid recent surge in Hong Kong, Singapore
The development assumes significance given that AMR has become a major global health issue, with around 6 lakh lives lost in India each year due to resistant infections, as per the data available with the ministry of chemical and fertilisers.
'These 37 antimicrobials have not been approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for veterinary use in the treatment of various diseases, but are still being used on animals. Using unapproved antibiotics may pose huge health risks not only to the animals but also to humans, as food produced by these animals may have elements of antibiotics which can be transferred to humans and cause antibiotic resistance," a government official said.
Queries sent to the health ministry and the department of animal husbandry and dairying (DAHD) spokesperson remained unanswered.
EU recommendations
In 2022, the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) recommended that 37 antibiotics be reserved for human use only for the treatment of certain life-threatening infections. Some of these drugs are ceftobiprole, ceftaroline, carbapenems, and the antiprotozoal drug nitazoxanide.
Also read: 'Elder abuse! Criminal charges??' — Donald Trump's DOJ lawyer accuses Jill Biden of hiding Joe Biden's health problems
'Representatives of the animal husbandry department were also present at the meeting, which happened last month. After detailed deliberation, the apex drug panel board recommended prohibition of manufacture, import, sale, distribution and use of 34 antimicrobial medical products except three antimicrobials, i.e. carboxypenicillins, combinations of cephalosporins with beta-lactamase inhibitors and phosphonic acid derivatives only, for animal use," the official added.
The health ministry has sought a report on these three antimicrobials from the department of animal husbandry and dairying to reach its conclusion.
According to Crisil market intelligence and analytics, the market size of the anti-infective segment in India stood at about ₹251.3 billion for FY2024. These include antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals.
In December, the health ministry banned the manufacturing and sale of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) nimesulide and its formulation for animal use, citing a health risk to the animals.
Also read: Mounjaro in India: The speed bumps impacting access to weight loss drugs
Dr K.P. Singh from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute said, 'Basically, all veterinary institutes have qualified veterinarians, but the problem is that there is one population who are not qualified to provide treatment to animals. These people are using antibiotics irrationally. These three antibiotics—carboxypenicillins, combinations of cephalosporins with beta-lactamase inhibitors and phosphonic acid derivatives—are largely used to treat bacterial infections in the animals."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Viral truths
Covid's return not a big worry. But a case in Delhi HC shows what's worrying when it comes to outbreaks It is safe to assume that had Delhi HC not issued a notice to Centre for failing to present in court minimum standards for sample collection, most wouldn't have known that India has no SOP mandated for diagnostic labs. Protocols of course exist, but SOPs are not mandatory. This case has gained traction given the rise in Covid cases. Delhi HC sounded a note of caution. This is despite the fact that GOI, epidemiologists and medical fraternity all agree that given the endemicity of Covid and that almost 70% of the population is fully vaccinated, this round of Covid is little more than 'seasonal flu'. There is no cause for worry. But that is not to say now is not the time for the whole preparedness-shebang to kick in – from wearing masks to surveilling the spread with more testing. Cases are climbing, as are deaths. All deaths have been of those with Covid, not of Covid. Point is, India's burden of comorbidity is massive – diabetes to TB to COPD, chronic kidney disease, and cancer patients & survivors. Against this reality, it's hard to see why Union health ministry wasn't more proactive to Delhi HC's 2023 order to formulate minimum standards for sample collection. It is not about Covid alone. Our healthcare systems must brace for viral outbreaks at any point given the two major challenges today – a dizzying number of dangerous viruses (H5N1, dengue, chikungunya, Nipah, Zika are household terms) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Preparedness and quick response make healthcare systems more resilient. Govt estimates put Covid deaths at 5.3L. Lessons were learned. Every weak link in public health machinery was exposed. In the three years since, how many of these weaknesses have been fixed? Is surveillance better? Is the expanded virus research & diagnostic laboratory network fully equipped? Variant identification took a long time during the pandemic. Have we fixed that? Surveillance systems, healthcare infra and community engagement ensure public health. Covid may not be a threat, but as epidemiologist Gagandeep Kang put it: 'What we know we don't know is when, where and what our next disease outbreak will be.' An SOP for sample collection and transport seems to be the very least govt can do. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Covid likely to surge, people should follow guidelines: Soumya Swaminathan
Trichy: People should follow Covid guidelines as the virus is likely to stay and surge in months, chairperson of MSSRF Chairperson and advisor to Union ministry of health and family welfare Dr Soumya Swaminathan said on Monday. Soumya Swaminathan participated in the launch of the livelihood support programme for small-scale fishermen at MSSRF Fish For All Research and Training Center in Poompuhar, Mayiladuthurai district. Responding to questions from reporters about the spread of Covid-19, Soumya Swaminathan said, "There are possibilities of Covid-19 surge every six to eight months. The virus is here to stay with us, just like the common cold. People should be careful and follow Covid-19 guidelines." Stating that the virus spreading among people is likely to cause mild effects, Soumya Swaminathan said, "Elders and those with underlying health conditions need to be more careful, however." On Covid vaccination, Soumya Swaminathan said the vaccines were safe and are less likely to cause side effects any more. "Those who had contracted Covid earlier, may have reactions to comorbidities," she added. Earlier, MSSRF began an initiative for five villages in Mayiladuthurai and Cuddalore districts. Head of the centre, S Velvizhi stated that training and development activities would be conducted for 1,500 families in the next three years. Addressing MSSRF's upcoming projects, Soumya Swaminathan said, "We are starting new research on the impact of prolonged heat and humidity on the health of fisherfolk in coastal districts." She added that MSSRF is developing an early warning tool integrated with artificial intelligence for fisherfolk to warn them about the health impact. She further stated that fisherfolk have a high possibility of high blood pressure and diabetes due to exposure to salty wind and consumption of salty food, according to surveys. "People should have a check-up once a year and keep their blood pressure under control," she said.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
108 Covid cases reported in 24 hrs, 461 active in Gujarat
Ahmedabad/Surat: In the 24 hours ending at 5 pm on Tuesday, the state reported 108 new Covid cases, taking the total number of active cases to 461, according to a bulletin issued by the state health department. The data indicated that out of the total active cases, 20 were hospitalised, while the remaining 441 were in home isolation. In the same period, 43 patients were discharged, and one patient succumbed to the infection, as per the bulletin. An analysis of the Covid case details from Ahmedabad city indicated that about 10-15% of the total cases are below five years of age. At least five patients were below one year in major hospitals, according to the data. "Moreover, the majority of the patients are recorded in the below 60 years or working population this wave. In comparison, the earlier waves had patients in senior citizen age categories," said a health department official. Two deaths recorded in the city were also reported in relatively younger ages — 18 and 47 years. Both were women and had comorbidities, added officials. However, a more detailed analysis of the cases may point to possible reasons for the deaths, said officials. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mistura chinesa faz cabelo crescer e homem fica irreconhecível Resultados em 30 dias Undo "Across India, five deaths have been reported in the past 24 hours, and the reasons, as mentioned by the MoHFW website, point towards respiratory illnesses along with diabetes, hypertension, heart, and kidney diseases. The deaths recorded on the website have only one person below 50 years. Thus, the trend in Gujarat is slightly different from the one observed across India," said a city-based physician, adding that there is no need for concern, but for caution. "If the flu-like symptoms persist for more than two days, medical help should be availed." Three more persons were diagnosed with Covid in Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) limits, which include two women aged 64 and 19 years, while the third was a 38-year-old man. The first case pertains to a 64-year-old woman from the Adajan area of Surat, who is a homemaker. She returned from Dehradun on May 29 and is currently stable in home isolation. She has a history of high blood pressure. The second case is related to a 19-year-old woman, residing in Sachin, who is a nursing student. She is currently in home isolation, and her condition is stable. A 38-year-old man, residing in Umra village, who works as a labourer, was also diagnosed with Covid infection. He is also in home isolation. Samples from these patients have been sent to GBRC, Gandhinagar, for genome sequencing as per govt guidelines. Covid positive patients in home isolation have been advised to remain isolated for five days.
