Context:
- The development of Nafithromycin by Indian biotech firm Wockhardt marks the first new antibiotic in over 30 years for treating community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP).
- Despite such advances, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) continues to pose a grave global and national public health threat.
- The issue is significant for GS 2 (Social Justice – Public Health) and GS 3 (Science & Technology).
Key Highlights:
What is AMR and Why Is It Alarming?
- Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms evolve to resist drugs designed to kill them.
- Major causes include:
- Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans
- Extensive antibiotic use in livestock and agriculture
- Poor infection prevention and control
- Unregulated access to antibiotics
- Consequences:
- Longer hospital stays
- Higher treatment costs
- Increased mortality
- Global impact:
- 4.95 million deaths linked to AMR in 2019
- 1.27 million deaths directly attributable to AMR
India’s AMR Burden
- India recorded the highest bacterial AMR burden globally in 2019.
- AMR prevalence is particularly severe in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
- High resistance noted in Gram-negative bacteria, such as:
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Acinetobacter baumannii
- Surveillance mechanisms:
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
- National AMR Surveillance Network
Drug Development and Nafithromycin
- Nafithromycin:
- Targets community-acquired bacterial pneumonia
- Developed indigenously
- Supported by CARB-X, a global AMR-focused public–private initiative
- Significance for India:
- Long gap in antibiotic drug discovery
- High domestic AMR burden demands locally relevant solutions
Challenges Beyond Drug Discovery
- OTC (Over-the-Counter) sale of antibiotics continues despite prescription-only status.
- Structural issues:
- Weak regulatory enforcement
- Low public awareness
- Inadequate hospital infection control practices
- In low- and middle-income countries, lack of antibiotic stewardship further accelerates resistance.
Policy and Governance Efforts
- WHO Global Action Plan on AMR mandates coordinated national responses.
- India’s National Action Plan on AMR focuses on:
- Surveillance
- Rational antibiotic use
- Awareness generation
- However, implementation gaps persist.
- Pharmaceutical industry urged to pursue “access + stewardship” model in R&D.
Scientific and Technical Concepts Explained
- AMR: Microbial resistance to antimicrobial drugs.
- Antibiotic Stewardship: Systematic efforts to ensure responsible antibiotic prescribing.
- Schedule H Drugs: Prescription-only medicines under Indian law.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Issue: Rising antimicrobial resistance despite new drug development.
- Causes:
- Antibiotic misuse
- OTC sales
- Weak regulation
- Government Initiatives:
- National Action Plan on AMR
- ICMR surveillance networks
- Benefits of New Drugs:
- Expanded treatment options
- Reduced immediate mortality
- Challenges:
- Resistance outpacing innovation
- Impact:
- Threat to modern medicine, surgeries, and critical care
Relevant Mains Points:
- Facts & Definitions:
- AMR-linked deaths (2019)
- Nafithromycin as first new CABP antibiotic in 30 years
- Keywords:
- One Health approach, antibiotic stewardship, public health governance
- Conceptual Linkages:
- AMR as a development, equity, and security issue
- Ethical & Social Justice Angle:
- Disproportionate AMR burden on poor and vulnerable populations
- Way Forward:
- Strengthen regulatory enforcement
- Curb OTC antibiotic sales
- Invest in public awareness and infection control
- Promote One Health-based multi-sectoral coordination
- Incentivise sustainable antibiotic R&D models