A study published in Lancet Regional Health-Southeast Asia stated that Indians consumed an excessive amount of antibiotics like azithromycin before and during the Covid-19 pandemic, even though many of these medications werent approved by the national drug authority.

According to the researchers′ investigation majority of the antibiotics were misused, as was seen from the antibiotic sales in Indias private hospitals in 2019 (during the pre-Covid era). The findings are significant in light of the expanding problem of antibiotic resistance in India.

Dr. Muhammed Shaffi the study′s principal author said that India consumes a lot of broad-spectrum antibiotics, including azithromycin, which should ideally be administered sparingly. Broad-spectrum medications are designed to be utilized in patients at high risk or in situations where several bacterial illnesses have been proven. The use of azithromycin for mild viral upper respiratory tract infections has accelerated the development of antibiotic resistance.

Dr. Shaffi further said 44% of the total defined daily dose comprised of formulations that were not centrally approved. Around 1,098 distinct formulations and 10,100 products (brands) of antibiotics are sold in India. Of these, only 46% of brands and 19% of formulations belonged to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). He went on to say that companies receive state-issued marketing licenses without the central regulators consent. The availability, sales, and use of antibiotics in the nation were being hampered by the overlap in regulatory authority between national and state-level organizations.

Dr. Arvind R, head of the department of infectious diseases at Thiruvananthapuram medical college, said that the study only took one element of antibiotic overuse into account. Antibiotic residues were also being found in the environment, water supplies, milk, fish, meat, and other food items, and measures to minimize antibiotic resistance were ongoing. (ETHealthWorld, September 07, 2022)