Hyderabad: Inappropriate antibiotic use threatens healthcare systems and global health security, said experts. Addressing this challenge, the Max Institute of Healthcare Management (MIHM) at the Indian School of Business (ISB) and the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS) hosted a stakeholder consultation at ISB’s Hyderabad campus.
Discussions focused on antimicrobial stewardship and sustainable strategies for managing ‘reserve’ class antibiotics, which are vital for treating drug-resistant infections but can quickly lose effectiveness if misused. It is part of the Tandem-ABX project, implemented by ICARS in India and Kenya, with ISB and CMC Vellore as partners. Supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the project aims to link access and stewardship systems from policy to hospitals.
R.V. Karnan, commissioner for health, stressed the importance of coordinated efforts. “AMR (antimicrobial resistance) is a concern for governments. Telangana’s AMR action plan will strengthen our approach to antimicrobial stewardship. ISB’s research initiative will provide valuable insights for evidence-based policymaking,” he said.
Prof. Sarang Deo, deputy dean at ISB, said that while antimicrobial stewardship programmes were growing across hospitals, strong evidence was needed to assess the feasibility of coordinated efforts among multiple stakeholders. “This consultation has generated ideas to shape policy,” he noted.
Dr Jyoti Joshi, senior science adviser at ICARS and lead of Tandem-ABX, highlighted the global relevance of the initiative. Dr Ranga Reddy Burri, oresident of the Infection Control Academy of India, spoke about the balance needed in India’s antibiotic policies.
