 "Are you taking an overdose of antibiotics? ICMR backs PM Modi's call amid rising drug resistance")
During the 129th episode of Mann ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the alarming rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), warning against the growing belief that a single pill can cure every illness.
Citing a recent Indian Council Medical Research (ICMR) report, PM Modi highlighted the dangerous misconception that a single pill can vanquish any ailment.
“Antibiotics are not a quick fix and must be taken only on a doctor’s advice,” he emphasised. The message resonates deeply in India, where self-medication remains the most common practice, sparking a public health crisis.
Citing the ICMR report in Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi highlighted indiscriminate use of antibiotics as a key driver of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), warning against the growing belief that a single pill can cure every illness. Antibiotics are not a quick fix… pic.twitter.com/uS8OFCq9gb
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) December 28, 2025
ICMR Director General Dr Rajiv Bahl echoed the Prime Minister’s concerns, signalling the gravity of the situation.
“Many diseases we think we can easily cure are becoming increasingly difficult to treat because microbes are becoming resistant,” Bahl stated.
He highlighted that “badly misused” antibiotics, often popped without medical advice for viral infections like cold, flu, where they prove useless.
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View All#WATCH | Delhi | On PM Modi raising antimicrobial resistance issue in 129th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat,' ICMR DG Dr Rajiv Bahl says, "As the Prime Minister said, many of the diseases we think we can easily cure are becoming increasingly difficult to treat because the microbes are… pic.twitter.com/i0VPBScOzV
— ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2025
Bahl praised several states for curbing over-the-counter sales, mandating prescriptions for antibiotics.
“Several states have taken significant steps to ensure that antibiotics are not sold over the counter and are only dispensed with a prescription,” he told ANI.
PM Modi’s call, backed by ICMR, stands stiff and calls for a responsible moment. By consulting doctors, Indians can safeguard its future resistant pathogens.
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