Odisha govt implements mandatory anti-microbial prescription guidelines

Bhubaneswar: The Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) Department of the Odisha government has directed all physicians to explicitly state the indication, reason, or justification when prescribing anti-microbials in the public interest.

In a communication issued on Wednesday, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the H&FW Department, Shalini Pandit, conveyed this directive to the Directors of Health & FW Department, Superintendents of Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals, Superintendents of private Medical Colleges & Hospitals, and CDM & PHOs.

Pandit’s letter referred to a communication from the Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, dated January 1 of the current year. The national directive emphasized the compulsory practice of specifying the indication when prescribing anti-microbials.

Citing reports, the H&FW Secretary highlighted the significant threat posed by Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), jeopardizing the advancements made in modern medicine. The emergence of drug-resistant pathogens, resulting from the misuse and overuse of anti-microbials, not only leads to treatment failures but also extends the periods of infectivity. Additionally, the high cost of second-line drugs may hinder the effective treatment of diseases in many individuals.

Given the limited development of new antibiotics in the Research & Development pipeline, the Secretary emphasized the importance of prudent antibiotic use to delay the development of resistance.

The Secretary urged doctors in Medical Colleges and peripheral Health Institutions to serve as examples of judicious anti-microbial use for future generations of doctors who may face a more severe crisis. Simultaneously, pharmacists were reminded to adhere to Schedule-II and III of the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules, selling antibiotics only with valid prescriptions.

The directive emphasized that all doctors must specify the exact indication on prescriptions when prescribing anti-microbials. The letter concluded by requesting the circulation of the DGHS, Gol letter to all doctors in Medical Colleges (both Government and private) and peripheral Health Institutions, instructing them to strictly adhere to the guidelines set by the Government of India and mandatorily mention the exact indication, reason, or justification when prescribing anti-microbials in the public interest.