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.  

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.  

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.