Union Health Ministry urged doctors
New Delhi, The Union Health Ministry has urged doctors of all medical colleges and medical organizations to compulsorily mention the symptoms and reasons while prescribing antibiotics. Director General of Health Services, Dr. Atul Goyal has asked all the drug dealers to strictly enforce Schedule H and H1 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules and to stop the sale of antibiotics without prescription and sell them only on the prescription of a qualified doctor. Have appealed.
Abuse of antimicrobial drugs
Goyal said in a letter dated January 1 that misuse and overuse of antimicrobial drugs is one of the main factors in the development of drug-resistant pathogens. “With the advent of some new antibiotics through research, judicious use of antibiotics is the only option to prevent or delay resistance,” he said in the letter addressed to all doctors of medical colleges and all medical associations. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top global public health threats facing humanity.
49.5 lakh deaths globally linked to drug-resistant infections in 2019
It is estimated that bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 12.7 lakh deaths globally in 2019 and 49.5 lakh deaths were linked to drug-resistant infections. This jeopardizes the effective prevention and treatment of infections caused by resistant pathogens. resulting in severe disease and increased risk of death. Failure of treatment may result in prolonged infectiousness. If the initial treatment fails, the cost of medicines for subsequent treatment also increases significantly.
When doctors prescribe antimicrobials, write symptoms on the prescription
“Drug dealers are being reminded to adhere to Schedule H and H1 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules and to sell antibiotics only on valid prescription,” the letter said. It is important that the doctor write down the symptoms on the prescription when prescribing antimicrobials.
It said, “All doctors are urgently appealed to make it a mandatory practice to write symptoms, causes, rationale while prescribing antimicrobials.” We look forward to your cooperation in promoting judicious use of antimicrobial drugs to reduce the incidence of AMR.”
Some antibiotics included in the list of HI drugs
In a letter to all drug dealers’ associations in India, Goyal said that under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945, antibiotics have been included in the list of drugs specified under Schedule H, which can be retailed only on the prescription of a registered doctor. Some high quality antibiotics are included in the list of HI drugs.
Sell only on prescription of a qualified doctor
The letter said, “All drug dealers in the country are immediately appealed to strictly implement Schedule H and H1 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules and stop the sale of antibiotics without doctor’s prescription and Sell only on prescription by a qualified doctor’