STRENGTHENING FIGHT AGAINST GLOBAL CRISIS AT EURO2024

Strengthening Fight Against Global Crisis – AMR: Experts View @EUROASIA 2024
Data suggests that 1.2 million deaths in India are due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR),

with an estimated 10 million deaths by 2050

Experts emphasized on One Health approach and pressing need of Antimicrobial

stewardship program

Bengaluru: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global problem
affecting humans, the environment, and animals, ranking among the top 10 challenges faced
by humanity. During EuroAsia 2024, that witnessed participation from leading critical care
specialists, experts shared concern over AMR and its increasing prevalence in India. Leading
critical care experts such as Dr. Bharat Jagiasi, Dr. Pradip Bhattacharya, Dr Srinivas
Samavedam, Dr. Pradeep Rangappa, Dr. Rajesh Pande, Dr Sachin Gupta, ⁠Dr. Bhuvana
krishna, ⁠Dr.Kartik Rao emphasized on the need for strengthening fight against AMR and
adopting holistic approach of ‘One Health’ for improving antimicrobial stewardship.
To effectively address AMR, adoption of a multifaceted approach is crucial. This includes
implementation of surveillance and tracking systems, antibiotic stewardship, and infection
prevention and control measures. Addressing the media, Dr Bharat Jagiasi, General
Secretary of ISCCM said “The resistance to antibiotics is leading to longer hospital stays,
longer treatment and mortality. There is a need to aggressively strengthen the fight against
AMR and adopt One Health stewardship practices to tackle the global AMR challenge.
Implementing effective public campaigns can educate publicon antimicrobials prescribed. It
is necessary to improve and strengthen hygiene measures and prevent the spread of
infections. Antibiotic resistance has accelerated the spread of resistant bacteria known as
“superbugs,” which will put an immense strain on health systems and countries economy,
which can result in increased hospitalizations and deaths.
Sharing the factors leading to AMR, Prof. Dr Pradip Bhattacharya, President, ISCCM
stated, “The One Health concept highlights the critical need to control antibiotic
consumption. Data suggests that 1.2 million deaths in India are due to antimicrobial
resistance (AMR), with an estimated 10 million deaths by 2050. The medical fraternity must
exercise caution in prescribing antibiotics to avoid unnecessary risks and should adopt a
judicious approach through stewardship programs.” Excessive and inappropriate use of
antibiotics is a key factor fueling the emergence of resistant bacteria, complicating the
treatment of common infections and heightening the likelihood of severe outcomes and death.
Apart from this, limited awareness among general public and patients about AMR hinder
effective prevention measures.”
Dr Srinivas Samavedam, President, Elect, ISCCM said, “Multiple stakeholders and each
one has a role to play in AMR control. After COVID-19 specially Stewardship is needed
which is the right drug, right time, right bug and right dose. The patient needs 36 to 48 hours
for any antibiotic to be effective., a little trust is required from the patients. However, the
patients take a 2nd opinion and change dosage. Pharmacies are also required to adhere to the
norms and putting a red strip on a medicine means that it should be sold with a prescription.

It is also the industry’s responsibility to sell the highest level of antibiotics to the right
audience and ISCCM has always been at the forefront of AMR’s battle
On solutions for a secure future against AMR, Dr Pradeep Rangappa, leading critical care
specialist and former secretary, ISCCM said, “India is the 3rd largest consumer of
antibiotics. 30 to 60% of the time, an antibiotic will be inappropriate and needs to be
curtailed. The Indian government has created a national action plan to curtail antibiotic
consumption. We have come out with guidelines on surveillance and how resistance patterns
are progressing. India is in a serious situation, so checks and balances need to come in place
at the pharmacy level.”
Emphasizing on need for pharmaceutical companies to bring newer anti-infectives, Eminent
intensive care expert, Principal Director, BLK MAX Super speciality Hospital, Dr Rajesh
Pande said, “AMR needs to be tackled through multi-disciplinary approach. While antibiotic
consumption needs to be judiciously used both- inside and outside the hospital through
monitoring over the counter medication of antibiotics. AMR prevalence is increasing, but
unfortunately the pipeline of new antibiotics is running dry. Pharmaceutical companies need
to introduce more newer anti-infectives to treat the drug-resistant bacteria, since the
pathogens have developed resistance for majority of the current anti-infectives available in
the market.”