Antimicrobial Resistance

Anti microbial resistance is the resistance acquired by any microorganism (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasite, etc.) against antimicrobial drugs (such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials, and anthelmintics) that are used to treat infections. - As a result, standard treatments become ineffective, infections persist and may spread to others.

-AMR is estimated to cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050, unless concerted actions are initiated now. -It will result in 7.5 % reduction in livestock production and negatively impact the global GDP by 3.5%. - Antimicrobial resistance is growing at an alarming rate. -Globally, about 35% of common human infections have become resistant to available medicines. -About 700,000 people die every year because available antimicrobial drugs — antibiotics, antivirals, antiparasitic and antifungals — have become less effective at combating pathogens. -Resistance to second- and third-line antibiotics — the last lines of defence against some common diseases — are projected to almost double between 2005 and 2030. -India is the largest consumer of antibiotics in the world. -According to a study published in The Lancet, an estimated 58,000 new-born children die annually from sepsis in India alone because antibiotics can no longer treat certain bacterial infections.

(Source- GS STUDY)