GS 2 – governance
Context
- India is among the highest consumers of antibiotics globally, with widespread self-medication, weak regulation, and low public awareness driving overutilization.
- The consequences extend beyond antimicrobial resistance (AMR) into mental health, through disruptions in the gut-brain axis.
Key Data
- AMR Burden: Responsible for ~297,000 deaths in India (2019) (Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation).
- Future Projections: Antibiotic production in India may peak at 12 million tonnes by 2030, if unchecked.
- Unregulated Formulations: Nearly 50% of antibiotics consumed in India are unregulated (The Lancet Global Health, 2022).
Challenges
- Public Health Crisis: AMR reduces effectiveness of standard treatments → higher morbidity & mortality.
- Unregulated Market: Easy access to antibiotics without prescriptions.
- Weak Enforcement: Inadequate monitoring of pharmacy sales & irrational prescriptions.
- Mental Health Link:
- Overuse damages gut microbial diversity, crucial for immune and neural regulation.
- Disruptions in the gut-brain axis linked to anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline.