The National Alliance of Medical Professionals on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAMP-AMR), an initiative that unites 52 medical specialty organizations and associations from across India to address the pressing issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), was announced by the Indian Medical Association (IMA). This joint initiative, which was unveiled on Wednesday, intends to lead international efforts to lessen the effects of AMR by means of coordinated action, government backing, and strategic planning.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), antimicrobial resistance happens when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites develop defense mechanisms against the effects of antimicrobial medications such antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals. Because of this resistance, these drugs become inefficient and become more difficult to treat, increasing the risk of infection, serious illness, disability, and death. Since AMR seriously endangers public health in India, it is an especially urgent concern there. The head of IMA’s AMR division, Narendra Saini, emphasized that 1.04 million deaths in India were linked to AMR in addition to 297,000 deaths that were directly related to it in 2019.
The formation of NAMP-AMR represents a major step in a national effort to confront this crisis. The initiative follows a call to action from Director-General of Health Services (DGHS) Atul Goel, who in February 2024, wrote to pharmacists urging them to dispense antibiotics only on the prescription of a qualified doctor to curb the over-the-counter (OTC) sale of these drugs. This measure aims to address one of the primary drivers of AMR: the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial medications. Such practices contribute significantly to the development of drug-resistant pathogens, leading to treatment failures, prolonged periods of infectivity, and increased healthcare costs due to the need for more expensive second-line treatments.
DGHS Goel emphasized that AMR threatens the effective prevention and treatment of infections caused by resistant microbes, resulting in longer illnesses and higher mortality rates. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also expressed concern that ignoring the issue of AMR could severely compromise India’s healthcare system. In response, the ministry is reportedly working on introducing a National Action Plan (NAP) 2.0 for AMR, which will focus on strengthening measures to prevent and control the spread of resistant infections.
The importance of stopping the sale of over-the-counter antibiotics and educating people about their responsible use has been highlighted by a number of research and reports. For example, a study that was published in the May 2024 issue of the Lancet magazine indicated that improving infection prevention strategies might avert almost 750,000 AMR-related deaths per year in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This research highlights the substantial potential advantages of enhancing infection control and antimicrobial stewardship procedures.
The IMA’s establishment of NAMP-AMR denotes a coordinated and coordinated effort to address AMR in India. The alliance wants to spearhead successful campaigns against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by bringing together a diverse range of medical professionals and utilizing their combined experience. This entails encouraging appropriate prescription practices, backing public health initiatives to inform the public about antimicrobial resistance, and supporting laws that restrict the overuse of antimicrobial medications.
NAMP-AMR’s founding represents a turning point in India’s battle against antibiotic resistance. This alliance works to ensure the efficacy of antimicrobial medications, protect public health, and lessen the effects of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through cooperative efforts and strategic actions.
SOURCE:
BUSINESS STANDARD
