Unraveling the Real Reasons for Antibiotic Overuse in India
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: General Science (Health - Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Antibiotics, ORS); Social Development; Government Policies & Schemes related to health.
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (Health & Governance): Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.
General Studies Paper 3 (S&T): Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life. AMR is a very important and recurring topic for both Prelims and Mains.
Key Highlights from the News
One of the main causes of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), which is one of the biggest global health threats of the 21st century, is the overuse of antibiotics.
A new study conducted in Karnataka and Bihar finds that in India, doctors unnecessarily prescribe antibiotics not merely due to lack of knowledge, but because of a "know-do gap".
Even when they know that antibiotics are not necessary for conditions like viral diarrhea, 62% of doctors still prescribe them.
The main reason for this is the providers' belief that patients wanted antibiotics (a misconception on the part of doctors that patients demand "strong medicines").
The study also found that when patients stated that simple treatments like ORS were sufficient, antibiotic use significantly decreased.
Therefore, merely providing scientific training to doctors may not be enough to combat AMR. The study emphasizes the need for interventions that change the attitudes of both patients and doctors.
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