Antibiotic policy:Norms on anvil to check drug sales

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The new state antibiotic policy, which will be announced in January, is expected to check the misuse of third- and fourth-generation antibiotics in a significant way. Experts say as part of the policy antibiotics will be categorised as non-restricted, restricted and very restricted. There will also be a proper list of antibiotics for which doctors' prescription would be made mandatory. Strict curbs would be enforced on doctors to prevent them from prescribing antibiotics out of the list and to check misuse of third and fourth generation antibiotics.

The government believes that microbial resistance to standard antibiotic treatments is one of the biggest challenges that the health sector is confronting at present. It is in this context that the government, through the rational usage antibiotics, wants to reduce morbidity and mortality occurring mainly due to infections of antimicrobial resistant organisms. Besides, the policy would also help in preserving the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents in the treatment and prevention of communicable diseases which are on the rise in the state. The guidelines being formulated as part of the antibiotic policy would be applicable to both the government and private health care institutions.

Kerala will become the first state to implement antibiotic policy in the country. Experts say rough estimates suggest that over 40 per cent patients demand antibiotic just because they had benefitted out of it earlier. Only less than 1 per cent asks the doctor about the requirement to take antibiotics. If the doctor refuses to prescribe antibiotics, people head straight to chemists shop where it is easily available across the counter without prescription. The government also proposes to bring agriculture and animal husbandry departments within the ambit of the policy. Antibiotics use in dairy and poultry sectors are causing serious public health hazards in the state.